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What Is The Correct Window Period For HIV Antibody Test?
Question: What causes some people antibody to not show up after 3 months of a hiv antibody test? And how rare is it that a test will be false neg after 3 months?
If there is no antibody after 3 months, It means that the individual is not affected
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Ive heard cases online where ppl show up false negative after 3 months and id like to know what causes that and why doctors want to test another 3 months later?
Brief Answer:
If the Immune System is Very Poor, there will be Viremia and not Antibodies
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HealthCareMagic.com I am Dr.J XXXXXXX Anto Bruno Mascarenhas. I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help you.
You can test for presence of HIV Infection by two ways
1. Measuring the Virus
2. Measuring the Antibodies
If both are negative at 3 months, then the patient is not infected
-oOo-
Let me explain this a bit more
TESTS FOR VIRUS
RNA tests — show a positive result based on the presence of the virus. These tests are more expensive than anitbody tests, so are not offered in as many places. 9-14 days after infection, there will be enough viral material for a positive result.
PCR tests (Polymerase chain reaction tests) — also test for the actual virus. This type of test is often used for testing the viral load of HIV-positive people, as well as testing babies born to HIV-positive mothers. 2-3 weeks after infection, there will be enough viral material for a positive result
-oOo-
TESTS FOR ANTIBODIES
Antibody tests ("Rapid" tests) — give a positive result based on antibodies to HIV, not the virus itself. It takes your body up to 3 months to produce these antibodies at levels that can be detected by this test.
12 weeks (3 months) after infection, most of people will have enough antibodies to test positive.
-oOo-
As per Spivak, XXXXXXX M; Sydnor, XXXXXXX RM; Blankson, XXXXXXX N; Gallant, XXXXXXX E (AIDS. 2010;24(10):1407-1414) Over one million people are estimated to be living with HIV-1 in the United States, and more than 16 million people are tested for HIV-1 annually. According to United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS epidemiologic data, in 2008, there were 33.4 million people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide and 2.7 million incident infections. Since HIV-1 was first recognized, however, there have been only 25 published case reports of patients with confirmed HIV-1 infection who do not have detectable HIV-1 antibodies.
This means
There is less than a million chance of the person being infected with HIV Virus and yet not developing Antibodies
-oOo-
Even the very negligible group of people who do not have antibodies will have virus present at 3 months.
So
At the end of three months, if both Tests for Virus as well as Tests for Antibodies are negative, we can be sure that the person is not infected.
-oOo-
So
If you want to be sure
Please do both Tests after three months
1. Tests for Virus
2. Tests for Antibiodies
If both are negative, you can be sure that the person has not been infected
Hope you found the answer helpful.
If you need any clarification / have doubts / have additional questions / have follow up questions, then please do not hesitate in asking again. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Best Wishes for Speedy Recovery
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
-oOo-
PS 1 : After all your doubts have been cleared, kindly (a) Close this Question (b) Rate my Replies and (c) Give your Feedback.
PS 2 : In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly in HealthCareMagic at http://bit.ly/askdrbruno
If the Immune System is Very Poor, there will be Viremia and not Antibodies
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HealthCareMagic.com I am Dr.J XXXXXXX Anto Bruno Mascarenhas. I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help you.
You can test for presence of HIV Infection by two ways
1. Measuring the Virus
2. Measuring the Antibodies
If both are negative at 3 months, then the patient is not infected
-oOo-
Let me explain this a bit more
TESTS FOR VIRUS
RNA tests — show a positive result based on the presence of the virus. These tests are more expensive than anitbody tests, so are not offered in as many places. 9-14 days after infection, there will be enough viral material for a positive result.
PCR tests (Polymerase chain reaction tests) — also test for the actual virus. This type of test is often used for testing the viral load of HIV-positive people, as well as testing babies born to HIV-positive mothers. 2-3 weeks after infection, there will be enough viral material for a positive result
-oOo-
TESTS FOR ANTIBODIES
Antibody tests ("Rapid" tests) — give a positive result based on antibodies to HIV, not the virus itself. It takes your body up to 3 months to produce these antibodies at levels that can be detected by this test.
12 weeks (3 months) after infection, most of people will have enough antibodies to test positive.
-oOo-
As per Spivak, XXXXXXX M; Sydnor, XXXXXXX RM; Blankson, XXXXXXX N; Gallant, XXXXXXX E (AIDS. 2010;24(10):1407-1414) Over one million people are estimated to be living with HIV-1 in the United States, and more than 16 million people are tested for HIV-1 annually. According to United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS epidemiologic data, in 2008, there were 33.4 million people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide and 2.7 million incident infections. Since HIV-1 was first recognized, however, there have been only 25 published case reports of patients with confirmed HIV-1 infection who do not have detectable HIV-1 antibodies.
This means
There is less than a million chance of the person being infected with HIV Virus and yet not developing Antibodies
-oOo-
Even the very negligible group of people who do not have antibodies will have virus present at 3 months.
So
At the end of three months, if both Tests for Virus as well as Tests for Antibodies are negative, we can be sure that the person is not infected.
-oOo-
So
If you want to be sure
Please do both Tests after three months
1. Tests for Virus
2. Tests for Antibiodies
If both are negative, you can be sure that the person has not been infected
Hope you found the answer helpful.
If you need any clarification / have doubts / have additional questions / have follow up questions, then please do not hesitate in asking again. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Best Wishes for Speedy Recovery
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
-oOo-
PS 1 : After all your doubts have been cleared, kindly (a) Close this Question (b) Rate my Replies and (c) Give your Feedback.
PS 2 : In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly in HealthCareMagic at http://bit.ly/askdrbruno
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
How accurate are test after 6 months? Can there still be false negative and if so what are the causes? Would it be health realated issues?
Brief Answer:
If Both Tests are negative after 6 months of expos, patient is not infected
Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir
If BOTH
(1) Test for Virus
and
(2) Test for Antibodies
are negative after 6 months of exposure
Then the person is not affected
Even in those who are infected and in whom Antibody tests are negative, the Virus will still be found
So
If you want to be sure
Please do both Tests after three months and also at six months
1. Tests for Virus
2. Tests for Antibiodies
If both are negative, you can be sure that the person has not been infected
Hope you found the answer helpful.
If you need any clarification / have doubts / have additional questions / have follow up questions, then please do not hesitate in asking again. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Best Wishes for Speedy Recovery
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
-oOo-
PS 1 : After all your doubts have been cleared, kindly (a) Close this Question (b) Rate my Replies and (c) Give your Feedback.
PS 2 : In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly in HealthCareMagic at http://bit.ly/askdrbruno
If Both Tests are negative after 6 months of expos, patient is not infected
Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir
If BOTH
(1) Test for Virus
and
(2) Test for Antibodies
are negative after 6 months of exposure
Then the person is not affected
Even in those who are infected and in whom Antibody tests are negative, the Virus will still be found
So
If you want to be sure
Please do both Tests after three months and also at six months
1. Tests for Virus
2. Tests for Antibiodies
If both are negative, you can be sure that the person has not been infected
Hope you found the answer helpful.
If you need any clarification / have doubts / have additional questions / have follow up questions, then please do not hesitate in asking again. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Best Wishes for Speedy Recovery
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
-oOo-
PS 1 : After all your doubts have been cleared, kindly (a) Close this Question (b) Rate my Replies and (c) Give your Feedback.
PS 2 : In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly in HealthCareMagic at http://bit.ly/askdrbruno
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
So there is no way at 6 months both test will come out false negative?
Brief Answer:
Clarified !
Detailed Answer:
//So there is no way at 6 months both test will come out false negative?//
If a patient had been infected, One of the tests will be positive 6 months after exposure
If both tests (Test for Virus and Test for Antibodies) are negative 6 months after exposure, then the person is not infected
Best Wishes for Speedy Recovery
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
-oOo-
PS 1 : After all your doubts have been cleared, kindly (a) Close this Question (b) Rate my Replies and (c) Give your Feedback.
PS 2 : In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly in HealthCareMagic at http://bit.ly/askdrbruno
Clarified !
Detailed Answer:
//So there is no way at 6 months both test will come out false negative?//
If a patient had been infected, One of the tests will be positive 6 months after exposure
If both tests (Test for Virus and Test for Antibodies) are negative 6 months after exposure, then the person is not infected
Best Wishes for Speedy Recovery
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
-oOo-
PS 1 : After all your doubts have been cleared, kindly (a) Close this Question (b) Rate my Replies and (c) Give your Feedback.
PS 2 : In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly in HealthCareMagic at http://bit.ly/askdrbruno
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
So you are saying at 6 months there should be a undoubtly high enough viral load to show up on the test?
Brief Answer:
One of the two will be there
Detailed Answer:
//So you are saying at 6 months there should be a undoubtly high enough viral load to show up on the test?//
At the end of 6 months after exposure,
There will be either Viral Load
or
Antibodies
One of the two will be present
If both are absent, then patient was not infected 6 months ago
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
-oOo-
PS 1 : After all your doubts have been cleared, kindly (a) Close this Question (b) Rate my Replies and (c) Give your Feedback.
PS 2 : In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly in HealthCareMagic at http://bit.ly/askdrbruno
One of the two will be there
Detailed Answer:
//So you are saying at 6 months there should be a undoubtly high enough viral load to show up on the test?//
At the end of 6 months after exposure,
There will be either Viral Load
or
Antibodies
One of the two will be present
If both are absent, then patient was not infected 6 months ago
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
-oOo-
PS 1 : After all your doubts have been cleared, kindly (a) Close this Question (b) Rate my Replies and (c) Give your Feedback.
PS 2 : In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly in HealthCareMagic at http://bit.ly/askdrbruno
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
So you are positive that either one of the test will show up at 6 months if i am hiv positive?
Brief Answer:
Had you been infected 6 months ago, One of the two would be positive
Detailed Answer:
//So you are positive that either one of the test will show up at 6 months if i am hiv positive?//
YES
Had you been infected 6 months ago, One of the two would be positive
If both tests (Test for Virus and Test for Antibodies) are negative 6 months after exposure, then the person is not infected
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
-oOo-
PS 1 : After all your doubts have been cleared, kindly (a) Close this Question (b) Rate my Replies and (c) Give your Feedback.
PS 2 : In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly in HealthCareMagic at http://bit.ly/askdrbruno
Had you been infected 6 months ago, One of the two would be positive
Detailed Answer:
//So you are positive that either one of the test will show up at 6 months if i am hiv positive?//
YES
Had you been infected 6 months ago, One of the two would be positive
If both tests (Test for Virus and Test for Antibodies) are negative 6 months after exposure, then the person is not infected
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
-oOo-
PS 1 : After all your doubts have been cleared, kindly (a) Close this Question (b) Rate my Replies and (c) Give your Feedback.
PS 2 : In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly in HealthCareMagic at http://bit.ly/askdrbruno
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
So there has never been any case in medical history that both test would come out false negative at the 6 month mark?
Brief Answer:
Both will not be false negative 6 months after exposure
Detailed Answer:
//
So there has never been any case in medical history that both test would come out false negative at the 6 month mark?
//
Both tests (Test for Virus and Test for Antibodies) will not be false negative 6 months after exposure
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
-oOo-
PS 1 : After all your doubts have been cleared, kindly (a) Close this Question (b) Rate my Replies and (c) Give your Feedback.
PS 2 : In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly in HealthCareMagic at http://bit.ly/askdrbruno
Both will not be false negative 6 months after exposure
Detailed Answer:
//
So there has never been any case in medical history that both test would come out false negative at the 6 month mark?
//
Both tests (Test for Virus and Test for Antibodies) will not be false negative 6 months after exposure
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
-oOo-
PS 1 : After all your doubts have been cleared, kindly (a) Close this Question (b) Rate my Replies and (c) Give your Feedback.
PS 2 : In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly in HealthCareMagic at http://bit.ly/askdrbruno
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
So taking both at 6 months would be 100% accurate results?
Brief Answer:
Taking both tests six months after last exposure
Detailed Answer:
//So taking both at 6 months would be 100% accurate results?//
Taking both tests (Test for Virus and Test for Antibodies) six months after last exposure would give 100 percent accurate results
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
-oOo-
PS 1 : After all your doubts have been cleared, kindly (a) Close this Question (b) Rate my Replies and (c) Give your Feedback.
PS 2 : In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly in HealthCareMagic at http://bit.ly/askdrbruno
Taking both tests six months after last exposure
Detailed Answer:
//So taking both at 6 months would be 100% accurate results?//
Taking both tests (Test for Virus and Test for Antibodies) six months after last exposure would give 100 percent accurate results
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
-oOo-
PS 1 : After all your doubts have been cleared, kindly (a) Close this Question (b) Rate my Replies and (c) Give your Feedback.
PS 2 : In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly in HealthCareMagic at http://bit.ly/askdrbruno
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
One more question... Why would one test come out negative if another comes out positive. Im just curious and like to know the most i can. By the wayYou been awesome so far.
Brief Answer:
If the B Cells are defective, then antibodies will not be manufactured
Detailed Answer:
//One more question... Why would one test come out negative if another comes out positive. Im just curious and like to know the most i can. By the wayYou been awesome so far. //
Antibodies are manufactured by the bodies immune system (B Cells) against the Virus
If the B Cells are defective, then antibodies will not be manufactured
So
The tests which are used to detect antibodies will give false negative
But
In that case, there will be large amounts of viruses in Blood
So
Tests which will detect Viruses will be positive
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
-oOo-
PS 1 : After all your doubts have been cleared, kindly (a) Close this Question (b) Rate my Replies and (c) Give your Feedback.
PS 2 : In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly in HealthCareMagic at http://bit.ly/askdrbruno
If the B Cells are defective, then antibodies will not be manufactured
Detailed Answer:
//One more question... Why would one test come out negative if another comes out positive. Im just curious and like to know the most i can. By the wayYou been awesome so far. //
Antibodies are manufactured by the bodies immune system (B Cells) against the Virus
If the B Cells are defective, then antibodies will not be manufactured
So
The tests which are used to detect antibodies will give false negative
But
In that case, there will be large amounts of viruses in Blood
So
Tests which will detect Viruses will be positive
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
-oOo-
PS 1 : After all your doubts have been cleared, kindly (a) Close this Question (b) Rate my Replies and (c) Give your Feedback.
PS 2 : In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly in HealthCareMagic at http://bit.ly/askdrbruno
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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