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Is It Necessary To Take HIV Test Within Window Period?
Question: This is a general question. For HIV test to be 100% I was told that you have to wait at least 3 months to take the test. Anything before that would be only 95% accurate is that true?
Also if the person was taking quite a few vitamins and supplements would that take the persons body longer to build up the antibody for HIV ( and thats why it would take some people longer for their test show up positive on their test?)
Also if the person was taking quite a few vitamins and supplements would that take the persons body longer to build up the antibody for HIV ( and thats why it would take some people longer for their test show up positive on their test?)
Brief Answer:
Tests are avialble for early detection of HIV.Vitamins will not affect resu
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
Two types of tests are avilable in the laboratories.
1.Antigen detecting tests: P24 antigentest, PCR TEST (QUALITATIVE RNA,DNA).
These tsets are sensitive as early as 1 week after the exposure anf confirmatory by 4 weeks. Available with bigger labs and little costlier.
2. Antibody detection tests: Rapid test, Western blot test, ELISA. These tests become conclusive by 12 weeks after the exposure.
4th generation test includes both detection of antigen and antibodies. Antigen part is conclusive by 4 weeks and after 12 weeks it is more conclusive as it detects both antigen and antibodies.
All these tests are more than 97% reliable. PCR test and 4th generation tests are reliable upto 99%.
Taking vitamins and supliments in no way affect the outcome of the result or delay the appearance of antibodies.
If anybody is on Immuno-suppressive drugs like steroids, the delay in antibody formation is inevitable.
Dr S.Murugan
Tests are avialble for early detection of HIV.Vitamins will not affect resu
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
Two types of tests are avilable in the laboratories.
1.Antigen detecting tests: P24 antigentest, PCR TEST (QUALITATIVE RNA,DNA).
These tsets are sensitive as early as 1 week after the exposure anf confirmatory by 4 weeks. Available with bigger labs and little costlier.
2. Antibody detection tests: Rapid test, Western blot test, ELISA. These tests become conclusive by 12 weeks after the exposure.
4th generation test includes both detection of antigen and antibodies. Antigen part is conclusive by 4 weeks and after 12 weeks it is more conclusive as it detects both antigen and antibodies.
All these tests are more than 97% reliable. PCR test and 4th generation tests are reliable upto 99%.
Taking vitamins and supliments in no way affect the outcome of the result or delay the appearance of antibodies.
If anybody is on Immuno-suppressive drugs like steroids, the delay in antibody formation is inevitable.
Dr S.Murugan
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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