Is HIV Test Done After Six Months Conclusive?

Posted on Thu, 29 Jan 2015

Question: Hi,
1) Today I was asked to do a tridot test among others. In the report it mentions headline as ELISA Test and description says HIV ELISA with observed value is non-reactive (0.032).
So is tridot same as HIV ELISA ?
2) 2nd test was 'Hbs Ag by ELISA'. Result was non-reactive (0.038)
Is this same as Hep-B?
3) If HIV test is -ve, and if I had no exposure for past six months (no sexual activity), would that imply I am HIV free?
Thanks in advance.

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please find detailed answers below

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in details.
Please find the answers to your query below

1) Today I was asked to do a tridot test among others. In the report it mentions headline as ELISA Test and description says HIV ELISA with observed value is non-reactive (0.032).
So is tridot same as HIV ELISA ?

Tridot test and ELISA tests for HIV are slightly different but outcomes are almost same. By this it is meant that the results by both tests are comparable. The latest tests are accurate whether tridot or ELISA for HIV.

2) 2nd test was 'Hbs Ag by ELISA'. Result was non-reactive (0.038)
Is this same as Hep-B?

ELISA for HbsAg is for Hepatitis B and your test result is negative.

3) If HIV test is -ve, and if I had no exposure for past six months (no sexual activity), would that imply I am HIV free?

If you did not indulge in any HIV risk behavior like unprotected sex (oral or vaginal), sharing of needles, blood transfusion or needle stick injuries in last six months then it is certain that you are HIV free.

Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

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

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (30 minutes later)

Many thanks for the reply.

1)
The reason for asking ques-1 was : the Dr on his prescription mentioned 'tridot' and I wasn't aware what this test was. It's only when I collected result that I saw the header mentioned 'ELISA Test' and description said 'HIV ELISA'.
Hence my doubt whether both were same.
In any case, since you mentioned, both are comparatively accurate, that should be good enough for me, as the result is negative for me.

2)
The reason for ques-3 was : as I understand (I may be wrong), no single HIV test is conclusive and there is probably some minimum time needed to conduct other test for confirmation.
As for my case, I have not indulged in any high risk behaviour in past 6 months, in fact no sexual activity. So as far as I have not had any high risk sexual encounter, needle sharing, blood transfusion then I should be ok I guess (the only tiny risk could be few times blood tests for various reasons and any possibility of blood injury that I am not aware of, say at hair cutting salon, etc).

Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please find clarifications given below

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in details.
Please find the answers to your query below

1) As result is negative there is no requirement to do any other test.

2) In the absence of any high risk behavior for HIV it is confirmed that you are HIV free. Getting blood tests and hair cutting done is not something you should be worried about

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

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