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Is 4th Generation HIV Test Done 24 Days Post Exposure Conclusive?
Question: hi m'y girlfriend and I have been dating for months now and in December she went on a holiday and I doubted that she had something with another guy (although she keeps on telling me that she didn't). given my anxiety and always pushing her to do an HIV test she accepted to do so. she did the test on 3.5 weeks (24 days) and attached. can you please interpret the result for me? can you please give me some clarification on the test used? and please explain to me what is the window period of 2 to 3 weeks mean? thank you.
Brief Answer:
She is not infected. The test result is conclusive
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I am dr.kakkar (dermatologist and venereologist). I have gone through your query and i have reviewef the test report.
It is 4th generation HIV screening test which screens for both p24 antigen and HIV antibody. Window period of a test is that time period immediately after infection when that particular test is unable to detect the infection. It varies for different tests. For example this particular test would be unable to detect HIV infection if it is performed within 2-3 weeks of contracting HIV. It can detect after 2-3 weeks.
Since your girlfriend did this test after 3.5 weeks of her returning from holiday so this test result is reliable and conclusive as this was performed beyond the window period of detection for this test.
The test declares her not infected with HIV and is reliable.
Regards
She is not infected. The test result is conclusive
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I am dr.kakkar (dermatologist and venereologist). I have gone through your query and i have reviewef the test report.
It is 4th generation HIV screening test which screens for both p24 antigen and HIV antibody. Window period of a test is that time period immediately after infection when that particular test is unable to detect the infection. It varies for different tests. For example this particular test would be unable to detect HIV infection if it is performed within 2-3 weeks of contracting HIV. It can detect after 2-3 weeks.
Since your girlfriend did this test after 3.5 weeks of her returning from holiday so this test result is reliable and conclusive as this was performed beyond the window period of detection for this test.
The test declares her not infected with HIV and is reliable.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have read that this test is more reliable after 28 days of exposure, and that the p24 cannot be detected unless it is widely spread, that is why it is apparently 95% accurate post 28 days. What are your views?
Brief Answer:
This test is highly accurate at 2 weeks and beyond
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
P 24 antigen can be detected as early as 7 to 10 days by a 4th generation HIV screening test. In general these tests have a high sensitivity (close to 100% at 4 weeks and slightly less at 2-3 weeks) as well as high specificity. A higher sensitivity at 4 weeks as compared to 2 weeks is because this test is a dual test i.e it relies on detecting either P 24 antigen Or HIV antibody and at 4 weeks most of the individuals have either P24 antigen or HIV antibodies, therefore higher sensitivity whereas at 2 weeks most of the individuals don't have antibodies.
Ideally this test should be performed at 4 weeks of a possible expsoure but at 2 weeks also it is highly accurate.
Regards
This test is highly accurate at 2 weeks and beyond
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
P 24 antigen can be detected as early as 7 to 10 days by a 4th generation HIV screening test. In general these tests have a high sensitivity (close to 100% at 4 weeks and slightly less at 2-3 weeks) as well as high specificity. A higher sensitivity at 4 weeks as compared to 2 weeks is because this test is a dual test i.e it relies on detecting either P 24 antigen Or HIV antibody and at 4 weeks most of the individuals have either P24 antigen or HIV antibodies, therefore higher sensitivity whereas at 2 weeks most of the individuals don't have antibodies.
Ideally this test should be performed at 4 weeks of a possible expsoure but at 2 weeks also it is highly accurate.
Regards
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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