How To Test For HIV?

Posted on Wed, 9 Jul 2014

Question: Sir , After a very low risk exposure like giving hand job, I have done a pcr hiv 1 viral load test after 16 days? It comes negetive? Today Is the 16 th day . Should I do P24 antigen test? Or I can take the result of PCR as conclusive ?

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (41 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Rapid test or 4th generation test rules out HIV1&2

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome once again.
P 24 Antigen test is not superior than HIV 1 PCR. But HIV PCR is more conclusive after 4 weeks. This negative test will rule out only HIV 1 infection. HIV 2 which is a very rare condition and can be ruled out with an antibody test like rapid test 12 weeks after the high risk activity.
So wait till 12 weeks and have the 4th generation COMBO test which can rule out both HIV 1&2 and this test is far superior than other tests.
Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (32 minutes later)

So what I perceive? Am I still be worried or I can do pcr test again after one month? Is there any pcr test for HIV 2 ?

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
HIV2 PCR not available in XXXXXXX Possible on demand

Detailed Answer:
Hi Chatterjee,
Welcome back.

The prevalence of HIV 2 is less than 1% of total HIV population almost throughout the world other than in XXXXXXX So there is nothing to worry much. I suggested this only for the sake of completion, not really meaning the risk of this.

PCR for HIV 2 is not available in XXXXXXX It would be available in certain specialized centers in country like U.S.
But majority of ordinary Rapid test are able to differentiate and rule out these possibilities after 12 weeks of high risk activity.
Dr S.Murugan

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar