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How Accurate Are Negative Rapid Test Results For HIV 1 And 2 Within 10 Years Of Exposure?

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Posted on Fri, 13 Mar 2015
Question: Dear Ask The Doctor:
Was I given an HIV WB test? Results are as follows

Hiv 1/2 screen reflx wb

Also how accurate are results are these results within 10 yrs of possible exposure using a rapid test. I have all the symptoms and have test two times, first with a standard test (hiv 1/2 screen reflx wb) within 5 yrs of possible exposure and a rapid test within 10 yrs possible exposure. Results were negative can I trust them considering I have all the sighns such as. Rapid weight loss swollen lymp nodes diarhea ect...
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Suspecting some other underling cause sir/ma'am

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query and would like you to know that I am here to help. I completely understand your anxiety and would like you to know that the rapid HIV test and HIV 1/2 screen reflex WB are both highly accurate when conducted at the time frames mentioned by you. They have been reported to be around 97.7 % accurate. It is highly unlikely that these tests would have reported inaccurate results at 5 and 10 years since exposure.

I understand that your symptoms are causing you some anxiety and raising questions, but I would also like you to know that the cause for your symptoms could be another underlying condition altogether. Let me list a few for your reference:

+Peptic ulcer disease
+Gastritis
+Conditions that can cause bleeding or abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract (e.g. diverticulosis, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bowel disease, intestinal polyps, etc.)
+Acute or chronic infections
+Cancer: Also should be ruled out especially as rapid weight loss is seen

I would thus like to recommend a visit to a doctor and request for an elaborate physical examination, colonoscopy, endoscopy and a comprehensive blood panel to help find the exact cause for your symptoms sir/ma'am.

I hope you find my response both helpful and informative sir/ma'am. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (18 minutes later)
Thanks for the detailed answer doctor! Can you please tell wether a western blot test was issued base on the antibody test described. I freaked out when I saw wb at the end because I heard they were only issued if a positive antibody test is confirmed.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (21 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No, not the truth

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again.

Please do not worry. A WB was previously used only to confirm suspected cases (and those which did return a partly positive or weak positive result), but in the past few years it was employed due to the accuracy it provided. Either way, if it returned a non-reactive result, that means you did not have HIV.

There are different reasons for employing a WB test, and a positive antibody test is only one of them. So this does not meant that you were found to be positive or suspected to have HIV in any possible manner. :)

I hope I have explained things in a manner best understood by you. Please do not hesitate to write to me for any further clarifications, I am always here for you.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (3 minutes later)
Ok so you think they did issue one? While I thought it was possible I figured it would have been more specific had that been the case
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (8 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes it quite possibly would have

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Yes, I do suspect the WB was issued, but the cause is going to remain unclear to us as there are many indications for the test. But what is important in my opinion is that a non-reactive result helps clear the suspicion of HIV.

I hope this helps. :)

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

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

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 9409 Questions

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How Accurate Are Negative Rapid Test Results For HIV 1 And 2 Within 10 Years Of Exposure?

Brief Answer: Suspecting some other underling cause sir/ma'am Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome. Thank you for writing to us. I have gone through your query and would like you to know that I am here to help. I completely understand your anxiety and would like you to know that the rapid HIV test and HIV 1/2 screen reflex WB are both highly accurate when conducted at the time frames mentioned by you. They have been reported to be around 97.7 % accurate. It is highly unlikely that these tests would have reported inaccurate results at 5 and 10 years since exposure. I understand that your symptoms are causing you some anxiety and raising questions, but I would also like you to know that the cause for your symptoms could be another underlying condition altogether. Let me list a few for your reference: +Peptic ulcer disease +Gastritis +Conditions that can cause bleeding or abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract (e.g. diverticulosis, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bowel disease, intestinal polyps, etc.) +Acute or chronic infections +Cancer: Also should be ruled out especially as rapid weight loss is seen I would thus like to recommend a visit to a doctor and request for an elaborate physical examination, colonoscopy, endoscopy and a comprehensive blood panel to help find the exact cause for your symptoms sir/ma'am. I hope you find my response both helpful and informative sir/ma'am. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you. Best wishes.