Testing hiv

[Mikeysanche]

Hi good evening, just wondering if there is anyone here that took more than 6 months to test positive? Or if any of you had negative tests after your exposure but it took you a while to test pos?

Thanks

[Neolithicrumba]

This would depend on the test used. Point of care testing (OraQuick, etc.) are second generation tests and will detect antibodies, usually in a few weeks, but sometimes up to twelve. When I was using these, about three or four weeks was the norm. If you get a blood draw and it's sent to a lab, most likely it would be a fourth generation test which can detect both antibodies and antigens. I've seen these detect HIV in as little as a week after exposure.

These tests are pretty sensitive and false negatives, especially after repeat testing, are extremely rare.

[Mikeysanche in reply to Neolithicrumba]

My tests were a 4th generation at 9 weeks an 3 generation at 84 days and just short of 6 months by a week a 4th generation.

[Neolithicrumba in reply to Mikeysanche]

The chance of a false negative is about one in a thousand, give or take. The chance that all three are false would be 1,000 X 1,000 X 1,000, which is pretty astronomical.

[Mikeysanche in reply to Neolithicrumba]

Thanks its been a year and 1/2 now getting test next month. As I still have problems and am unwell

[Neolithicrumba in reply to Mikeysanche]

Perhaps it's time to look for other causes.