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How Accurate Are HIV, PCR, DNA Test After 28 Days With Antibody?
Question: How accurate are hiv pcr dna test after 28 days done with antibody
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
There are different tests that can be used to detect HIV. The PCR and the ELISA test.
PCR DNA looks for dna evidence of the virus , in other words it looks for the virus itself.
Because it is checking for the actual virus the window period is 2 to 3 weeks.
The window period is the time it takes for a test to definitively determine whether an infection is present or not.
This means that after 4 weeks or 28 days , the PCR would be able to accurately show whether some one is infected with HIV. The result at this time would be correct and the final result.
The other test, most common screening test (because it is cheaper), the ELISA tests detects the presence of anti bodies.
Antibodies are formed in a person when they react to a particular antigen which could a bacteria, virus or fungi. In this case it is the HIV virus.
For this reason the window period of the ELISA is 3 to 6 months because it can take up to this time in some persons for the antibodies to form.
The PCR test is a antigen dna test, it does not look for the antibody but if you did the antibody test , a definitive result would be in 3 to 6 months.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
There are different tests that can be used to detect HIV. The PCR and the ELISA test.
PCR DNA looks for dna evidence of the virus , in other words it looks for the virus itself.
Because it is checking for the actual virus the window period is 2 to 3 weeks.
The window period is the time it takes for a test to definitively determine whether an infection is present or not.
This means that after 4 weeks or 28 days , the PCR would be able to accurately show whether some one is infected with HIV. The result at this time would be correct and the final result.
The other test, most common screening test (because it is cheaper), the ELISA tests detects the presence of anti bodies.
Antibodies are formed in a person when they react to a particular antigen which could a bacteria, virus or fungi. In this case it is the HIV virus.
For this reason the window period of the ELISA is 3 to 6 months because it can take up to this time in some persons for the antibodies to form.
The PCR test is a antigen dna test, it does not look for the antibody but if you did the antibody test , a definitive result would be in 3 to 6 months.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
would you say i was hiv neg ?
Hi, yes if the PCR was done at day 28 then you would definitely be HIV negative.
Please feel free to ask anything else
Please feel free to ask anything else
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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