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A member asked:
Why is hiv pcr used to test blood at blood banks, babies and acute hiv symps but not as a diagnosis? other than cost and false positive what could be the reason that some docs don't trust it? thanks
A doctor has provided 1 answer
PCR is a ..: ..complex test, & more technically difficult to perform accurately than the antibody tests. Because PCR detects viral-RNA (proteins within the HIV virus) it is positive early in the course of infection & is used to try to confirm/exclude HIV as a diagnosis for a set of symptoms. You are correct that there are more false positives with PCR than with antibody tests. Antibody tests are gold standard
Answered 4/27/2015
3.4k views
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A member asked:
I had fellatio (oral sex) with women unknown status. After 9 days i go to blood bank and take sample they screen it i think with pcr/naat but I'm not sure then after 2 days i go to ask tgem. They aswer me " your test is negative " is it conclusive?
2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
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