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Question: I may have a possible exposure as almost 9 days ago, while in between the act my condom broke so I had a PCR RNA test 2 days ago. It came out to be negative today. What's the accuracy of the test at this stage, should I ho for another test ?
Brief Answer:
Please do ELISA (3 and 6 mths) or 4th generation RAPID (30 days) test
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
The HIV 1 PCR test is more than 99 percent accurate at 9 days. This test has not been done for HIV 2. The incidence of HIV 2 is rare. However, you must get tested for peace of mind it is suggested that you get tested for HIV 1 and 2 antibodies by any one of the tests given below.
1. The most widely used are the ELISA assays, the enzyme-linked immunosorbant assays. This test detects antibodies to HIV 1 and 2. It is suggested that ELISA test is done at 3 months and if negative then repeated again at 6 months.
or
2. If there are facilities to do the 4th generation RAPID test then you must do the test at 30 days. Recently we have the fourth generation RAPID serologic test is a combination of antibody and p24 antigen. This test is enough if done once and found to be negative.
Hope this answers your question. 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
Please do ELISA (3 and 6 mths) or 4th generation RAPID (30 days) test
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
The HIV 1 PCR test is more than 99 percent accurate at 9 days. This test has not been done for HIV 2. The incidence of HIV 2 is rare. However, you must get tested for peace of mind it is suggested that you get tested for HIV 1 and 2 antibodies by any one of the tests given below.
1. The most widely used are the ELISA assays, the enzyme-linked immunosorbant assays. This test detects antibodies to HIV 1 and 2. It is suggested that ELISA test is done at 3 months and if negative then repeated again at 6 months.
or
2. If there are facilities to do the 4th generation RAPID test then you must do the test at 30 days. Recently we have the fourth generation RAPID serologic test is a combination of antibody and p24 antigen. This test is enough if done once and found to be negative.
Hope this answers your question. 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. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Hi XXXXXXX
First of all I need to thank you for your response. Also, I have a few questions that I need to ask.
Q1.) Did you go through the report that I attached?
Q2.) The test was done after 7 days of possible exposure not 9 days. So what's the accuracy percentage ?
Q3.) How rare is HIV 2, Is there a real possibility for that?
First of all I need to thank you for your response. Also, I have a few questions that I need to ask.
Q1.) Did you go through the report that I attached?
Q2.) The test was done after 7 days of possible exposure not 9 days. So what's the accuracy percentage ?
Q3.) How rare is HIV 2, Is there a real possibility for that?
Brief Answer:
Please find answers below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
Please find clarifications below
Q1.) Did you go through the report that I attached?
Yes, I have seen the attached report in detail and it is HIV 1 PCR test. Result is negative.
Q2.) The test was done after 7 days of possible exposure not 9 days. So what's the accuracy percentage ?
Even at 7 days, the accuracy is around 90 to 95 percent. The accuracy approaches 100 percent after 12 days.
Q3.) How rare is HIV 2, Is there a real possibility for that?
Prevalence of HIV 2 in XXXXXXX is 2.5% of all HIV-positive cases
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Please find answers below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
Please find clarifications below
Q1.) Did you go through the report that I attached?
Yes, I have seen the attached report in detail and it is HIV 1 PCR test. Result is negative.
Q2.) The test was done after 7 days of possible exposure not 9 days. So what's the accuracy percentage ?
Even at 7 days, the accuracy is around 90 to 95 percent. The accuracy approaches 100 percent after 12 days.
Q3.) How rare is HIV 2, Is there a real possibility for that?
Prevalence of HIV 2 in XXXXXXX is 2.5% of all HIV-positive cases
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
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