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What Is The Accuracy Of HIV Tests After The Window Period?

Posted on Fri, 14 Jun 2024

Question: after the window period what peecentage of hiv tests would you expect to show false negatives or would they not be expected to occur after many years from exposure and tests taken even the rapid swab tests worried about the effectiveness of the tests

Answered by Dr. Sunil Jangid (24 hours later)

Brief Answer:
The accuracy of HIV tests after the window period is nearly 99.9 percent.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

The chances of HIV tests showing false negatives after the window period are extremely rare as the accuracy of tests is nearly 99.9 percent. It is rarest of rare possibility that someone who is HIV positive and not picked-up by the test after the window period. If you have any other doubt feel free to ask me again.

Thank you.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. LAKSHMI

Follow up: Dr. Sunil Jangid (5 hours later)

It s that 1 1n 12 false negative I keep reading about with oraquik tests but I m hoping that s in the first 12 weeks and the fact that my tests were done years after exposure will make them in the 99.9 bracket for me . Thank you so much fir your help

Answered by Dr. Sunil Jangid (24 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, the test results are highly accurate.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

The tests done after years of exposure and expiry of window period are highly accurate so you need not to worry about. Be relaxed, forget the episode and live your life normally. If any further help is required, feel free to contact me any time.

Thank you.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sunil Jangid (1 hour later)

Just want to make sure that you are familiar with these tests they are the rapid swab home
tests. both showing a C line only which indicates negative , are you familiar with the tests I m talking about just want to be sure
Thank you for your time

Answered by Dr. Sunil Jangid (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, these tests are also highly reliable.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

The Ora-Quick tests are highly reliable and it's been many years after the window period was over so you need not to worry at all. Just calm down, relax yourself and forget the episode.

Thank you.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sunil Jangid (7 hours later)

Do you administer oraquik to patients in testing a d have you ever seen a false negative after the window period , would it be rare

would it be rare to have 2 negative tests on oraquik to be false after window period has expired does this apply to the oral fluid test also not just the blood test , would oral fluid swab tests also be considered rare after window oeriod has passed ?
Thank you for your time and help

Answered by Dr. Sunil Jangid (42 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I have not seen any such case in my practice.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

I have not seen any case where the test results are false negative after years of expiry of window period. You are thinking too much which is causing anxiety so just calm down, forget about this and move on in life because the test results are negative.

Thank you.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sunil Jangid (4 hours later)

Thank you Doctor, Yes bad anxiety , so you think I can trust the rapid oral swab tests , this far out would they be considered as reliable as blood tests
I got the C line only ,just want to make sure by seeing the C line only means I added sufficient fluid and the tests are then correct ?

Answered by Dr. Sunil Jangid (19 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You can definitely trust the test results.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

You can surely trust the test results and if you have any doubt about the method you have followed for the test than the very simple thing to relieve your anxiety is to repeat the test. You can also go for 4th generation HIV Duos test. The negative test result will help you decrease your stress or anxiety.

Thank you.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sunil Jangid (36 hours later)

I just did another test. it also showed negative so 3 tests negative now ,so feeling a little better about the possiblity of them being all correct now
Would you think 3 negative tests should be enough

Answered by Dr. Sunil Jangid (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes definitely.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

It is nice to hear that you are feeling better now. These tests are enough to conclude that you are not at risk so be relaxed, allay your fear and anxiety and move on in life.

Thank you.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar