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Is Negative INSTI HIV Test Report After 6 Months Of Exposure Conclusive?
Question: Hi, I have not had any sexual contact in 7 months which is March. About 3 months and 9 days after my sexual contact I developed a rash. I got rid of it by getting antibiotics. The following month in July I developed hives. I took the Insti Hiv test six months after possible exposure and tested negative. I now have swollen lymph node on my left side of my neck below my left ear. My question is what could this be? Should I get tested again for HIV?, How accurate are the results after waiting six months to get tested for HIV?
Brief Answer:
the window period is 3mths for this type of test
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The insti hiv test is an antibody hiv test, this means that it is checking of the presence of antibodies to the HIV virus.
Antibodies are formed in a persons body in reaction to a particular virus/bacteria/fungi, in this case HIV antibodies would build up in a person who is HIV positive.
The window period for the insti test, which is a rapid test, is up to 3 months. The window period is the time from exposure to when a tests can reliably state if an infection is present.
This means that after 3 months, this test can definitely state whether a person has HIV.
The test is also known to have very very very minimal falsely negative or false positive results.
This means that since you did your test at 6 months, it would have given you a clear idea of whether you were HIV negative or positive.
If it was negative after 6 months, then it is truly negative.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
the window period is 3mths for this type of test
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The insti hiv test is an antibody hiv test, this means that it is checking of the presence of antibodies to the HIV virus.
Antibodies are formed in a persons body in reaction to a particular virus/bacteria/fungi, in this case HIV antibodies would build up in a person who is HIV positive.
The window period for the insti test, which is a rapid test, is up to 3 months. The window period is the time from exposure to when a tests can reliably state if an infection is present.
This means that after 3 months, this test can definitely state whether a person has HIV.
The test is also known to have very very very minimal falsely negative or false positive results.
This means that since you did your test at 6 months, it would have given you a clear idea of whether you were HIV negative or positive.
If it was negative after 6 months, then it is truly negative.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
So after 6 months of possible exposure to hiv and getting tested after 6 months instead of 1-3 the test is still accurate? Does blood work, urine samples, and insti test rely on the same method of testing for antibodies instead of the virus itself? What could the swollen lymph node be from?
Brief Answer:
lymph nodes respond to infection/inflammation in surrounding area
Detailed Answer:
HI
Yes, the issue is get to past the window period. If a test is done before the window period is up , there is a chance that the result is not accurate.
Once this time frame has passed, then the result is conclusive.
So once this test was done after the 3 month mark, it is conclusive whether it was at 6 months or 6 years.
There are different types of HIV tests, some rely on testing for the different aspect of the virus itself, these have a shorter window period.
It is important to remember that lymph nodes are part of the body's immune system and they respond to infection or inflammation in the surrounding area that they are located.
This the reason that children with all their frequent cough and colds get enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.
Lymph nodes themselves can also become infected or in persons with a known history of cancer, spread can occur to these areas.
Any neck skin rash, sore throat, allergies with post nasal drip, cough and cold symptoms,neck skin infection would cause a neck lymph node to enlarge.
Please feel free to ask anything else
lymph nodes respond to infection/inflammation in surrounding area
Detailed Answer:
HI
Yes, the issue is get to past the window period. If a test is done before the window period is up , there is a chance that the result is not accurate.
Once this time frame has passed, then the result is conclusive.
So once this test was done after the 3 month mark, it is conclusive whether it was at 6 months or 6 years.
There are different types of HIV tests, some rely on testing for the different aspect of the virus itself, these have a shorter window period.
It is important to remember that lymph nodes are part of the body's immune system and they respond to infection or inflammation in the surrounding area that they are located.
This the reason that children with all their frequent cough and colds get enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.
Lymph nodes themselves can also become infected or in persons with a known history of cancer, spread can occur to these areas.
Any neck skin rash, sore throat, allergies with post nasal drip, cough and cold symptoms,neck skin infection would cause a neck lymph node to enlarge.
Please feel free to ask anything else
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
If it's been 10 days is it something to worry about?
Brief Answer:
no , not problematic
Detailed Answer:
HI
If you mean that the lymph node has been enlarged for 10 days then no this is not anything to worry about.
Normally advise persons that a lymph node can sometimes remain enlarged 4 to 6 weeks after the initial infection/inflammation.
If it remains enlarged after this time then an assessment is needed.
If anything else unclear, let me know
no , not problematic
Detailed Answer:
HI
If you mean that the lymph node has been enlarged for 10 days then no this is not anything to worry about.
Normally advise persons that a lymph node can sometimes remain enlarged 4 to 6 weeks after the initial infection/inflammation.
If it remains enlarged after this time then an assessment is needed.
If anything else unclear, let me know
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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