Question 1

worried about hiv infection. i got a 4th generation rapid test exactly one month after possible exposure. it was clean. is this conclusive?

Accepted Answer

Highly reassuring...: ...but maybe not conclusive. The lab-based 4th generation ("combo") HIV tests are 100% conclusive at 4+ weeks, but less confidence about the rapid version, because it's newer and rapids are inherently a bit less reliable. Your negative is over 95% reliable. But if  your exposure was especially high risk (e.g. unprotected anal with male partner) have a lab based test, or repeat rapid at 2-3 months.

Question 2

i suspected expose to hiv infection during early november 2013.... get test in april 2014 shown negative.... is is concluded my test result is negativ?

Accepted Answer

Most likely: HIV usually shows signs in blood work after 3 months post exposure.  If a test is negative after 5 months and you have not had unprotected sex or any further exposure then most likely you are negative. Continue to follow up with your doctor and make sure you use protection during your sexual encounters.

Question 3

can a fbc test show signs of hiv infection?

Accepted Answer

Not really: A full blood count, has a variety of different tests that are performed as part of it, but an HIV test is not a standard one. You have to give permission to have an HIV test. However, the lymphocytes may be low, and if a differential count is done, may show low CD4 or cd8 counts, which may suggest the diagnosis.

Question 4

can a semen test detects hiv infection?

Accepted Answer

Possible to detect: Special  test like pcr can detect HIV in semen.

Question 5

myself 31 years of age , had exposed to unknown source of syringe ,30 days back, today i had hiv 1&2 test and p24 test ..negative , what does that mean, do i need more test to confirm about hiv infection?

Accepted Answer

Probably: The testing is very assuring and if this was a needle stick only then your probability of infection is very low. However, ask your facility because many people will repeat HIV testing 6 months after a concerning exposure.

Question 6

how long is it supposed to it take for a blood test to start detecting a possible hiv infection?

Accepted Answer

At least 4 weeks: Modern elisa tests are considered accurate at about 4 weeks, but testing protocols usually check at 3 months as well, just to be safe (with  prophylaxis, there is another check at 6 months).

Question 7

could a combination of a 4th generarion test and a hiv rna test taken at 3 months after possible expousure miss possible hiv infection??

Accepted Answer

No: These tests could not possibly miss an HIV infeciton.

Question 8

is a test for the presence nuclear anitbodies the same thing that you test for for hiv infection?

Accepted Answer

No: With HIV you test for HIV antibodies, not anti-nuclear antibodies.

Question 9

is there any way a person can find out that they hav hiv apart from taking a blood test, are there any symptoms of hiv infection?

Accepted Answer

Yes: The fda has approved oral HIV tests: http://www.Fda.Gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm310545.Htm

i'm aware of:
oraquick and home access HIV test kit

don't wait for symptoms to set in.  Get tested if you believe you may have been exposed.

Question 10

hi dr., would a 4th gen hiv test be positive at the time when patient shows initial hiv infection symptoms (during seroconversion)?

Accepted Answer

: Perhaps

Initial symptoms (none, perhaps low fever or swelling of lymph nodes or rash or fatigue or feeling poorly etc, etc) usually appears 2-4 weeks after infection but VERY variable and may not appear for months.  Seroconversion, even with 4th generation assay, appears over the same time (2-4 weeks).  Either one may appear slightly before the other

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Doctor answers about:

After hiv infection when to test

A member asked:

Worried about hiv infection. i got a 4th generation rapid test exactly one month after possible exposure. it was clean. is this conclusive?

A member asked:

I suspected expose to hiv infection during early november 2013.... get test in april 2014 shown negative.... is is concluded my test result is negativ?

A member asked:

Can a fbc test show signs of hiv infection?

A member asked:

Can a semen test detects hiv infection?

A member asked:

Myself 31 years of age , had exposed to unknown source of syringe ,30 days back, today i had hiv 1&2 test and p24 test ..negative , what does that mean, do i need more test to confirm about hiv infection?

A member asked:

How long is it supposed to it take for a blood test to start detecting a possible hiv infection?

A member asked:

Could a combination of a 4th generarion test and a hiv rna test taken at 3 months after possible expousure miss possible hiv infection??

A member asked:

Is a test for the presence nuclear anitbodies the same thing that you test for for hiv infection?

A member asked:

Is there any way a person can find out that they hav hiv apart from taking a blood test, are there any symptoms of hiv infection?

A member asked:

Hi dr., would a 4th gen hiv test be positive at the time when patient shows initial hiv infection symptoms (during seroconversion)?

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