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Suggest Tests To Detect HIV

Posted on Thu, 19 Jan 2017

Question: Hello,
My possible exposure for HIV is around 40 days. Can you please suggest the possible tests for HIV screening. Awaiting your reply at earliest

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Qualitative RNA PCR test or HIV DNA PCR will be ideal at 40 days.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
Two types of tests are available for detecting HIV infection. Widely available antibody detection tests become conclusive only 12 weeks after the exposure (window period). The other types of tests are detecting antigen (P 24, RPR) and they are highly reliable 3-4 weeks after the exposure. But antigen tests can detect only HIV 1 infection. You may need separate test for HIV 2 infection. So by 40 days after the exposure, antigen detection tests are ideal to detect HIV infection.
HIV 1 infection is common up to the extent of 99.5% throughout the world except in certain parts of XXXXXXX
Dr S Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (1 hour later)

Hello, thanks for your reply. Please let me know below
1. Whether p24 test alone is sufficient?
2. Whether p24 test comes under qualitative rna pcr or HIV DNA pcr?
3. Whether these tests are available in XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
These tests are very much available at XXXXXXX

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
P24 antigen alone as such would not be available now, I think. 4th generation COMBO/DUO test consists of both P24 antigen and antibody against HIV 1 and 2. This test is very much available almost all over XXXXXXX But P24 part of it will be reliable now, but the antibody part of the test will be reliable only after the window period. Whereas Qualitative HIV RNA PCR and DNA PCR also will be available at XXXXXXX and they are highly reliable. P24 antigen test is different from PCR tests. SRL Ranbaxy, Reliance Health care, Vimta, Lal path, Pathcare and Metropolis are some of the labs providing these services in XXXXXXX
Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (11 hours later)

Hello,
I am attaching 4th generation report. Pls check and provide feedback.
Also let me know if further tests are required along with time line.
Looking forward to your earliest reply

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You are free from HIV 1 infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
I saw the report. Congratulations! You are free from HIV 1 infection. This test is reliable to the extent of more than 99%.
If you repeat another rapid test once again 3 months after the exposure, then you can rule out the least possibility of HIV 2 (Less than 0.5%) and one more non-reactive test will lead the reliability up to the extent of 100%.
Dr. S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (6 minutes later)

Many thanks for answering. Do you mean to say that I have to repeat the test after 3 months to confirm 100%. Can you please explain which is the test for non reactive to taken and should it be also taken after 3 months?.

Thanks again

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Rapid test or ELISA after 3 months will rule out HIV 2 also.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
You are almost free from HIV as HIV 2 is a rarest and remote possibility. If you want a 100% result then it is better to have another test after 3 months. Any rapid test (Tridot, SD line, ELISA) or the same 4th generation test will be sufficient.
Dr S.Murugan

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar