Brief Answer:
HIV testing
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your query and I have understood it.
A positive PCR
RNA does prove that you are infected with HIV, but the guideline is that it should be confirmed with a antibody test to document subsequent
seroconversion.
Negative antibody tests at day 24 and day 44 can be explained by window period, i.e the time after infection when it can be detected by the test ( which is approximately 3 months for antibody based tests after infection/the time required for seroconversion).
Regarding HIV combo test: The combo test for hiv tests for both HIV
antibodies as well as p24 antigen. This HIV test can detect the virus from 28 days after infection and is called a "Duo" test because it combines an antibody test for the HIV antibody 1 & 2 strains of the virus, with an antigen test for the P 24 antigen. During the first few weeks after someone becomes infected with HIV, only P 24 (Antigen) is detectable in the blood. So the antigen is the first marker of HIV being present. So the HIV DUO test can detect an infection before the antibody test on its own can, it is used for diagnosing HIV much earlier in the course of infection. The test, is considered 99.8% accurate at 28 days, this accuracy increases to 99.9% at 90 days after any potential contact.
P24 antigen becomes negative after seroconversion and the p24 antigen disappears rapidly.
Therefore a negative result needs to be confirmed with a second test after 90 days, if the exposure is less than 3 months ago.
I think you should continue with antiretroviral drugs and get a repeat test which can document seroconversion (antibody testing with western blot or
elisa).
The aim of treatment at this point of time, is to reduce the risk of further transmission because this is the period when HIV is most infectious when antibodies to it has not appeared in the serum.
regards