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Is PCR RNA HIV Test Done After 14 Days Of Exposure,conclusive?

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Posted on Mon, 8 Sep 2014
Question: Hiv rna pcr test
Dear doc. I had practised safe sex with 2 escorts on 20th and 25th XXXXXXX
After 12 days i had symtoms for herpes and it came positive for genital herpes. I got very scared that may be i have contracted hiv too. So i did the regular 4th gen hiv test and also a PCR RNA HIV test at 14 days which my doc suggested. Both came negative. Is this test conclusive !! Please shed some lught as lot of confusion over the internet matter. Do i still need to worry ??
doctor
Answered by Dr. Matin Ahmad Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Negligible risk no worries !

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question. I am Dr Matin, answering your question.
PCR HIV RNA test is in most cases, ( it is a quantitative PCR )highly accurate within 48 to 72 hours and a small number of people don't have viral loads that are high enough to confirm a diagnosis until 28 days after exposure.

4th Generation tests are gold standard tests and are accurate 3-4 weeks after exposure, because this is when the p24 antigen becomes high enough to measure. This can pick up 95 % cases in 28 days and 99.5 % accurate at 3 months and so 2nd test s required for confirmation 90 days after the exposure.

Assuming that that your encounters with escorts were safe (with condoms which did not break/slip) , your risk of acquisition of HIV is negligible .

But same can't be said for 'Genital Herpes' . It is possible to pass herpes even when using condoms. Genital herpes can affect all areas of the genitals, not just where the condom covers. If there is an out break out side of the area that the condom covers then you still have a chance of contracting herpes.

So No worries for you and I guess you need not undergo another HIV test .
Hope this helps .
Regards


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Matin Ahmad Khan (14 minutes later)
Doc. This is my result. Copy. I am slightly confused in qualitative and quantitative test. Can u explain the ddiff I hope this does not change your answer of no further testing required.

Thanks. .
doctor
Answered by Dr. Matin Ahmad Khan (8 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
HIV RNA is quantitative HIV DNA is qualitative

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your response.
HIV RNA test is quantitative while HIV DNA is qualitative .
HIV RNA test can quantify the HIV virus and is also called as HIV Viral load
While HIV DNA is qualitative and used to detect HIV in new born babies of HIV infected mothers.
however, this difference does not affect my assessment of your situation. You chances remain negligible as far as HIV acquisition is concerned
Hope it helps.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Matin Ahmad Khan (38 minutes later)
This is my result.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Matin Ahmad Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Your report is negative

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your response. Seen your report .
2-9% of persons without HIV infection ,may have VL (Viral load) < 10,000 c/ml .
My reply remains the same : if your condoms had not broken/slipped and you have not re-exposed yourself with the virus , then your chances of contracting HIV remains negligible.
Hope it helps .
Note: Get personalized answers to your HIV related queries You can choose to talk face to face with your doctor. Book a Video Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Matin Ahmad Khan

HIV AIDS Specialist

Practicing since :1987

Answered : 298 Questions

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Is PCR RNA HIV Test Done After 14 Days Of Exposure,conclusive?

Brief Answer: Negligible risk no worries ! Detailed Answer: Thanks for your question. I am Dr Matin, answering your question. PCR HIV RNA test is in most cases, ( it is a quantitative PCR )highly accurate within 48 to 72 hours and a small number of people don't have viral loads that are high enough to confirm a diagnosis until 28 days after exposure. 4th Generation tests are gold standard tests and are accurate 3-4 weeks after exposure, because this is when the p24 antigen becomes high enough to measure. This can pick up 95 % cases in 28 days and 99.5 % accurate at 3 months and so 2nd test s required for confirmation 90 days after the exposure. Assuming that that your encounters with escorts were safe (with condoms which did not break/slip) , your risk of acquisition of HIV is negligible . But same can't be said for 'Genital Herpes' . It is possible to pass herpes even when using condoms. Genital herpes can affect all areas of the genitals, not just where the condom covers. If there is an out break out side of the area that the condom covers then you still have a chance of contracting herpes. So No worries for you and I guess you need not undergo another HIV test . Hope this helps . Regards