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How Accurate Is An HIV Fourth Generation Test?

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Posted on Wed, 29 Jun 2016
Question: How accurate is HIV fourth generation test? Results uploaded. I feel really fatigued right now. I had unprotected sex April 14th and a test on May 3rd. The results was negative. Is that too soon to get a true negative? What else can cause this fatigue? I have been feeling so tired all week. I want to sleep as soon as I get home from school.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Fatigue could be unrelated; test results unreliable at this point

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. HIV 4th generation testing is most accurate only after 4 weeks from the exposure, so I would have to say that it is in fact too early to depend on this result as of now.

But more often than not, the results do yield a negative result, so I am hoping yours does too, but in all honesty it is too early to be testing ma'am. The fatigue could be due to reasons like anaemia, poor intake, high stress levels (possibly even from the stress of wondering whether or not you have HIV), low blood sugar, nutritional deficiencies (e.g. vitamin D), etc.

So to find out what exactly is causing the fatigue, a few blood tests may be required ma'am. But for now; you can increase your fluid intake, initiate a multi-vitamin supplement, take a calcium supplement, and eat a well-balanced diet.

I hope you find my response helpful. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.


Brief Answer:
Yes ma'am, it would be best to retest to confirm your status

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.

1. So dehydration and poor nutrition could both be the cause for your fatigue. These two factors can also result in an imbalance in various nutritional parameters, so you really need to make a conscious change in your diet and lifestyle ma'am.

2. Yes ma'am, I would recommend a retesting. Either go ahead with the same test (now that it has been over 4 weeks) or you can choose another test called a HIV DUO test (also extremely effective after 4 weeks). You can choose the more affordable one out of the two, but hey are both very accurate at this stage.

I hope this helps. Please do not hesitate to write to me anytime, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (9 minutes later)
Would you recommend that I get another HIV test now then? My doctor did not go over the accuracy or testing windows with me. It's been more than 4 weeks now. I think my diet is wrong. I ate oatmeal today and meatball sub. The only thing I drank today is grape juice.

Ok, what would you suggest that I eat and drink then?

Ok, I will try to get another test. My insurance covers it.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (13 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
List of general instructions, nothing too specific required ma'am :)

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am.

1 Eating 5-6 small meals every day, instead of 1,2 or 3 meals

2. Meals should contain plenty of fruits, vegetables and meat (all types of fruits, vegetable and meat as tolerated and liked)

3. Do not overeat

4. Drink at least 3 litres of water everyday (I am not speaking about liquids, many people mistake liquids to be soda, coffee, tea, etc; I mean only water here, no additives)

5. Mild form of exercise (e.g. walking for 30 minutes a day), with exposure to the sun as well

6. Visit your medical store and request for any good multivitamin supplement for women, and take 1 tablet per day

Very general instructions as you seem to just require a very general diet and nothing specific.

Best wishes.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Shoaib Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 9409 Questions

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How Accurate Is An HIV Fourth Generation Test?

Brief Answer: Fatigue could be unrelated; test results unreliable at this point Detailed Answer: Hello ma'am and welcome. Thank you for writing to us. I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. HIV 4th generation testing is most accurate only after 4 weeks from the exposure, so I would have to say that it is in fact too early to depend on this result as of now. But more often than not, the results do yield a negative result, so I am hoping yours does too, but in all honesty it is too early to be testing ma'am. The fatigue could be due to reasons like anaemia, poor intake, high stress levels (possibly even from the stress of wondering whether or not you have HIV), low blood sugar, nutritional deficiencies (e.g. vitamin D), etc. So to find out what exactly is causing the fatigue, a few blood tests may be required ma'am. But for now; you can increase your fluid intake, initiate a multi-vitamin supplement, take a calcium supplement, and eat a well-balanced diet. I hope you find my response helpful. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help. Best wishes. Brief Answer: Yes ma'am, it would be best to retest to confirm your status Detailed Answer: Hello once again ma'am. 1. So dehydration and poor nutrition could both be the cause for your fatigue. These two factors can also result in an imbalance in various nutritional parameters, so you really need to make a conscious change in your diet and lifestyle ma'am. 2. Yes ma'am, I would recommend a retesting. Either go ahead with the same test (now that it has been over 4 weeks) or you can choose another test called a HIV DUO test (also extremely effective after 4 weeks). You can choose the more affordable one out of the two, but hey are both very accurate at this stage. I hope this helps. Please do not hesitate to write to me anytime, I am always here to help. Best wishes.