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Is HIV RNA TMA Test Done 15 Days Post Exposure Conclusive?

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Posted on Tue, 23 May 2017
Question: My questions is the reliability of an HIV RNA TMA test by LabCorp at 8 days and again at 15 days post possible exposure. Both came back negative, but my body is sure telling me something different.
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Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
HIV RNA TMA test can not be considered as a conclusive one on 15 days

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
HIV RNA TMA test is a qualitative PCR test to detect HIV infection.
PCR tests will detect the genetic material of the HIV as early as 7 days after the exposure, inthe presence of an infection, but can be consider conclusive only 3-4 weeks after the high risk activity. Moreover, it can detect only HIV 1 antigen (commonest up to 99%) and not HIV 2 infection, for which you have to undertake a separate HIV 2 specific RNA PCR test.
So your test can not be take as conclusive one.
Moreover HIV status can be considered as conclusive only with an antibody detecting test after 3 months following exposure as per WHO and CDC.(After the completion of window period)
Dr S.Murugan
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan

HIV AIDS Specialist

Practicing since :1974

Answered : 3108 Questions

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Is HIV RNA TMA Test Done 15 Days Post Exposure Conclusive?

Brief Answer: HIV RNA TMA test can not be considered as a conclusive one on 15 days Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to HCM. HIV RNA TMA test is a qualitative PCR test to detect HIV infection. PCR tests will detect the genetic material of the HIV as early as 7 days after the exposure, inthe presence of an infection, but can be consider conclusive only 3-4 weeks after the high risk activity. Moreover, it can detect only HIV 1 antigen (commonest up to 99%) and not HIV 2 infection, for which you have to undertake a separate HIV 2 specific RNA PCR test. So your test can not be take as conclusive one. Moreover HIV status can be considered as conclusive only with an antibody detecting test after 3 months following exposure as per WHO and CDC.(After the completion of window period) Dr S.Murugan