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What Are The Chances Of Getting Multiple False Negative Hiv ?
Question: What are the chances of getting multiple false negative hiv tests on rapid tests after the 6 months had passed and can you rely on hiv rapid antibody tests after the window period
Brief Answer:
Very much unlikely to have false negative results 6 months after the risk.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query.
All the tests available in the market for the detection of HIV after the widow period (not more than 12 weeks) are highly reliable up to 97% or more and 4th generation tests and Molecular tests are reliable more than 99%.
Regarding your question:
If you are an intermittent user of Pre exposure prophylaxis ART drugs (PrEP) or a defaulter of a PEP taking individual on and off, or if you are on immune suppressive drugs (for autoimmune disorders or as an organ recipient) or any other immune deficiency conditions, there may be a false positive results for HIV can occur rarely.. Otherwise, there is no chance for a repeated nonreactive tests for HIV even 6 months after risky exposure.
Dr s. Murugan
Very much unlikely to have false negative results 6 months after the risk.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query.
All the tests available in the market for the detection of HIV after the widow period (not more than 12 weeks) are highly reliable up to 97% or more and 4th generation tests and Molecular tests are reliable more than 99%.
Regarding your question:
If you are an intermittent user of Pre exposure prophylaxis ART drugs (PrEP) or a defaulter of a PEP taking individual on and off, or if you are on immune suppressive drugs (for autoimmune disorders or as an organ recipient) or any other immune deficiency conditions, there may be a false positive results for HIV can occur rarely.. Otherwise, there is no chance for a repeated nonreactive tests for HIV even 6 months after risky exposure.
Dr s. Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T
just one question I need to ask. the difference between the 3rd and 4 th generation hiv tests and why woukd I need a 4 th generation teat over a 3 rd generation test
Also is it possible to test negative on antibody tests multiple times but test positive on a P24 antigen test I read that people can test positive on this test very later on in infection but not have antibodies to hiv. Can you clarify this or is it possible. , just want to rioe this out
Also is it possible to test negative on antibody tests multiple times but test positive on a P24 antigen test I read that people can test positive on this test very later on in infection but not have antibodies to hiv. Can you clarify this or is it possible. , just want to rioe this out
can anyone clarify the difference in 3 rd a d 4 th generation tests. a d if it s necessary to take a 4 th generation test when testing after 8 yrs from exposure
Brief Answer:
4th generation HIV test has more reliability
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
4th generation test is more advanced and advantageous. It can detect both antigen for HIV 1 and the antibodies against HIV whereas1 and 2 wheras the 2nd and 3rd generation tests can detect only antibodies against HIV 1 and 2 and not the antigen. Detection of antigens is possible by 3rd or 4th week of the infection whereas detection of antibodies would take 6 to 12 weeks after the possible infection. 4th generatiin tests can be reliable upto 99% or more whereas 2nd and 3rd generation tests reliability is around 97% or more. So the 4th generation test is more reliable in the diagnosis of HIV infection and also for early diagnosis. All the avaliable tests will not be negative after 6 months in the presence of HIV infection.
Dr. S. Murugan
4th generation HIV test has more reliability
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
4th generation test is more advanced and advantageous. It can detect both antigen for HIV 1 and the antibodies against HIV whereas1 and 2 wheras the 2nd and 3rd generation tests can detect only antibodies against HIV 1 and 2 and not the antigen. Detection of antigens is possible by 3rd or 4th week of the infection whereas detection of antibodies would take 6 to 12 weeks after the possible infection. 4th generatiin tests can be reliable upto 99% or more whereas 2nd and 3rd generation tests reliability is around 97% or more. So the 4th generation test is more reliable in the diagnosis of HIV infection and also for early diagnosis. All the avaliable tests will not be negative after 6 months in the presence of HIV infection.
Dr. S. Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thank You so much Doctor , this is always a worry with taking the rapid tests. I did get multiple negatives since January over 70 neg tests also got 3 negatives on the insti 3 rd generation tests so I can now be certain that I m free from hiv infection. ?
Brief Answer:
You are free from HIV infection
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
As I mentioned earlier, Furthermore tests for HIV is not at all necessary for you. It is sure that you are free from HIV infection beyond any doubt. Relax and enjoy your days ahead.
Dr .S. Murugan
You are free from HIV infection
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
As I mentioned earlier, Furthermore tests for HIV is not at all necessary for you. It is sure that you are free from HIV infection beyond any doubt. Relax and enjoy your days ahead.
Dr .S. Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
You are confirmed already as free from HIV infection
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
As I had mentioned earlier that we had ruled out the possibility of HIV with you, as per repeated negative HIV tests already. Then why are you still worrying about HIV infection at all?
Lymph is a fluid and cannot be counted in number.
I think you mean that Lymphocyte count in blood. In adults, your normal range of lymphocytes is between 1,000 and 4,800 lymphocytes in every 1 microliter of blood. About 20%-40% of your white blood cells are lymphocytes.
( https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-are-lymphocytes).
Lymphocytes 1,000 to 4,800 per mcL (1.0 to 4.8 k/mcL)
(Ref: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/4053-complete-blood-count)
A decline in the Lymphocyte count is significant and not about the elevation of the lymphocyte count as far as HIV disease is concerned. Moreover these counts are nonspecific, may vary with many other conditions or other infections, It is just a supportive evidence in any condition either to diagnose or to rule out the particular condition an not the diagnostic criteria.
Dr S. Murugan
You are confirmed already as free from HIV infection
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
As I had mentioned earlier that we had ruled out the possibility of HIV with you, as per repeated negative HIV tests already. Then why are you still worrying about HIV infection at all?
Lymph is a fluid and cannot be counted in number.
I think you mean that Lymphocyte count in blood. In adults, your normal range of lymphocytes is between 1,000 and 4,800 lymphocytes in every 1 microliter of blood. About 20%-40% of your white blood cells are lymphocytes.
( https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-are-lymphocytes).
Lymphocytes 1,000 to 4,800 per mcL (1.0 to 4.8 k/mcL)
(Ref: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/4053-complete-blood-count)
A decline in the Lymphocyte count is significant and not about the elevation of the lymphocyte count as far as HIV disease is concerned. Moreover these counts are nonspecific, may vary with many other conditions or other infections, It is just a supportive evidence in any condition either to diagnose or to rule out the particular condition an not the diagnostic criteria.
Dr S. Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Doctor but was alarmed to see a high lymphocyte count in the bloodwork as it days could be chronic hiv infection , do you still think the negative antibody tests would rule out infection , I was hoping the Insti hiv 3rd generation test woujd had done this but cbc report with high lymph count would not counteract that ? strange I never got this before
Brief Answer:
You are free from HIV infection
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Your lymphocyte count is within normal limits.
As far as, HIV is concerned, the fall in CD4 count and CD% are more significant and the Lymphopenia to a level of less significant,
There is no possibility of HIV infection as per your reports, unless you had a fresh exposure recently with an unknown or new partner whose HIV status is unknown.
Dr S. Murugan
You are free from HIV infection
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Your lymphocyte count is within normal limits.
As far as, HIV is concerned, the fall in CD4 count and CD% are more significant and the Lymphopenia to a level of less significant,
There is no possibility of HIV infection as per your reports, unless you had a fresh exposure recently with an unknown or new partner whose HIV status is unknown.
Dr S. Murugan
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Saisudha Kotla
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