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What Is The Window Period For An HIV Test?
Question: Dear Doctor,
Three weeks after exposure I tested for hiv with a home kit and I saw a faint line after few minutes. Then I bought a different brand after 4 weeks and I used it to test. First it only showed the C line then after like 2 hrs I have been seeing another faint line on several ones that I have bought.
I called the company that sold the first one and he said the faint line is no issue that everything is fine. That if I am to be positive the line would be very visible.
The second one only produce the faint line after like 2 hours and it has constantly done so till now.
Please advice what is the risk here and can I have the virus. Or does this means that the virus is just coming up and would be bolder as weeks goes by?
Thank you
Three weeks after exposure I tested for hiv with a home kit and I saw a faint line after few minutes. Then I bought a different brand after 4 weeks and I used it to test. First it only showed the C line then after like 2 hrs I have been seeing another faint line on several ones that I have bought.
I called the company that sold the first one and he said the faint line is no issue that everything is fine. That if I am to be positive the line would be very visible.
The second one only produce the faint line after like 2 hours and it has constantly done so till now.
Please advice what is the risk here and can I have the virus. Or does this means that the virus is just coming up and would be bolder as weeks goes by?
Thank you
Brief Answer:
It is invalid line.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query at the HCM
I understand your concern and situation.
Nothing to worry. what you saw was ghost line and have no significance. The positive line is dark and comes immediately. Get ELISA test done at 12 weeks post exposure as conclusive proof.
Take care
Hope I answered your query
Dr Sheetal Verma
It is invalid line.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query at the HCM
I understand your concern and situation.
Nothing to worry. what you saw was ghost line and have no significance. The positive line is dark and comes immediately. Get ELISA test done at 12 weeks post exposure as conclusive proof.
Take care
Hope I answered your query
Dr Sheetal Verma
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for the response. The exposure I had is viginal sex and condom broke. Could the faint line be as a result of the antibody not yet been much and it's gradually building up till it's enough to pick the virus?
The week I had the exposure I had cold and cough and I have been having stomach aches before the exposure but on the second week after exposure it got back and was given Imodium on the third week and it stopped.
The week I had the exposure I had cold and cough and I have been having stomach aches before the exposure but on the second week after exposure it got back and was given Imodium on the third week and it stopped.
Brief Answer:
See details.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
The rapid tests for HIV do not come positive so early. It usually takes 7-8 weeks to get test positive. So take the test at correct time ie 12 weeks. You can take PCR test after 6-7 weeks.
Take care
See details.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
The rapid tests for HIV do not come positive so early. It usually takes 7-8 weeks to get test positive. So take the test at correct time ie 12 weeks. You can take PCR test after 6-7 weeks.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
That why am saying the faint color might be due to the virus building up. Have u seen this situation before and it turns out negative?
Brief Answer:
Western blotting and PCR suggested.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
The faint line if comes immediately could be doubtful significance. Western blotting suggested.
Take care
Western blotting and PCR suggested.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
The faint line if comes immediately could be doubtful significance. Western blotting suggested.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
What do you mean by doubtful significant.
Brief Answer:
See details.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Doubtful means if the faint line comes immediately it could be doubtful to be positive or negative. But if line comes faint after 10 mins it has no significance. So in case if there is doubt then in the case western blotting, ELISA and PCR test are more reliable.
Take care
See details.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Doubtful means if the faint line comes immediately it could be doubtful to be positive or negative. But if line comes faint after 10 mins it has no significance. So in case if there is doubt then in the case western blotting, ELISA and PCR test are more reliable.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I tested negative to rapid test on the 5th week of exposure on the 31st day. Waiting for Elisa test result. What do you consider that as..
Brief Answer:
Rapid test of no use.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
The test at 5 weeks is not suggested. So no interpretation can be derived from it. Wait for Elisa report.
Take care
Rapid test of no use.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
The test at 5 weeks is not suggested. So no interpretation can be derived from it. Wait for Elisa report.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
Repeat ELISA at 12 weeks.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
At such early week PCR is more reliable. If ELISA test is negative it is ok. But ELISA can be trusted only at 12 weeks post exposure.
Take care
Repeat ELISA at 12 weeks.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
At such early week PCR is more reliable. If ELISA test is negative it is ok. But ELISA can be trusted only at 12 weeks post exposure.
Take care
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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