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

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.

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