HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Does Zeffix Lamivudine Affect NAAT Test Results?

Posted on Sat, 23 Aug 2014

Question: Dear Dr.

As I have had very high risk sexual intercourse exposure. 4 days after exposure, I started taking I zeffix Lamivudine 300 mg as PEP only for 4 days then I stopped.

It has been 14 days now after the exposure. I tested negative in both rapid HIV test and NAAT (COBAS S 201 system) test 11.5 days after exposure.

I feel a little bit pain in:
- the Lymph glands in armpit and XXXXXXX
- Itchy
- a little muscle pain
- lost weight

My question:

How reliable and accurate are my tests?

Do you think taking Zeffix Lamivudine would impact my test result for NAAT test?

Thank you in advance for your response

Answered by Dr. Gaurav Katiyar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Negative for HIV

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I have gone through your query and history.
I can see that you are very concerned about HIV. As your NAAT and Rapid HIV both are negative after 12 days, You are free of HIV. NAAT can detect virus in three days of infection.

Since You took Lamivudin as PEP, It does not interfere with NAAT. NAAT directly detect the genetic material of the virus. And it is most reliable (99.9%) test for HIV.

Symptoms you have mentioned can be due to other reasons and are not due to HIV.

Hope I have answered you. You can close the discussion and rate the answer, if you don't have further query.

Wish you good health
Regards
Dr. Gaurav Katiyar
For further queries you can contact me directly on http://bit.ly/DrGaurav

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Gaurav Katiyar (9 minutes later)

Thank you Dr for your response.

I have heard that the virus impact the lymph before it goes to the blood. It might take a bit longer before showing in the bloodstream

is it that true?

Answered by Dr. Gaurav Katiyar (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
False

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for the follow up.
There is nothing like that HIV first goes to Lymph node and then to blood. HIV spreads through body fluids and effect immune system called CD4 cells.

So, what you are thinking that virus will attack Lymph nodes, destroy them and will take time to get detected in blood is wrong. If you have been affected, there would have been huge load of virus by now.

Nothing to worry and consult your doctor for other cause of your symptoms.

Hope I have answered you. You can close the discussion and rate the answer, if you don't have further query.

Wish you good health
Regards
Dr. Gaurav Katiyar
For further queries you can contact me directly on http://bit.ly/DrGaurav

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Gaurav Katiyar (10 minutes later)

Just a last question to understand dear Dr

If someone get infected, then the virus will be detected in the blood in few days and there is no window period takes more than 10 days before shown in the bloodstream?

Sorry for asking so much ... Just too woried

Answered by Dr. Gaurav Katiyar (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Window period depends on type of test

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for the follow up.
I understand your concern and any person who is at risk is so much concerned.
Window period depends upon the type of test performed. Initially there was only ELISA with a longer period. Now With test detecting antigens or antibodies have lesser period. NAAT with rapid HIV test can detect them within 10 days. So for these tests Window Period is less than 10 days.

You are HIV free.
Hope your understand now. You can close the discussion and rate the answer, if you don't have further query.

Wish you good health
Regards
Dr. Gaurav Katiyar
For further queries you can contact me directly on http://bit.ly/DrGaurav

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj