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Does IV Generation Tests Detect P24 After 14 Days?
Dear Doctor,
I have a question regarding reliability of IV generation HIV test. I had a very risky sexual behaviour, I made three IV generation tests afterwards - after 7 days, after 14 days and after 21 days. All results were negative.
BUT 1 MONTH BEFORE THAT RISKY BEHAVIOUR I FINISHED A 4-WEEK PEP THERAPY (COMBIVIR) I STARTED 8 WEEKS BEFORE, AFTER PREVIOUS RISKY BEHAVIOUR
It is usually said that IV generation tests can detect p24 after 14 days. I had a test both 7 days and 14 days and 21 days after. But I heard that the window for detecting ANTIBODIES is extended after PEP (even if finished few months before-is it true?). AND IS THE WINDOW EXTENDED ALSO FOR DETECTING P24??? I havent taken any Combivir for a month before that behaviour so for sure there was no Combivir in my body, so I think the results should be quite reliable. Am I right???
It is very important for me because 5 days ago I had another very risky behaviour! (I KNOW-IT IS NOT SMART AND WILL NEVER DO IT AGAIN-I PROMISE!!!). I went to the doctor and he suggested another PEP-but he asked whether I had been HIV tested before (it was Sunday evening so there was no possibility to make a test then; as far as I am concerned you cannot take PEP if you are already HIV positive). I said I got tested 3 times but did not mention about previous PEP (at that time I did not know PEP can influence the window period-I was sure that 3 negative test results mean I am fine). So 5 started another PEP 5 days ago, but if Im taking it while already being HIV positive after the previous risky behaviour???
I can have another IV generation test tomorrow - but it will be after 6 days of taking Combivir (and 2,5 months after that risky behaviour that concerns me) - does it make sense to have that test tomorrow and if it is also negative keep taking PEP (fortunately I do not have any side effects).
Many thanks
Many thanks
I have a question regarding reliability of IV generation HIV test. I had a very risky sexual behaviour, I made three IV generation tests afterwards - after 7 days, after 14 days and after 21 days. All results were negative.
BUT 1 MONTH BEFORE THAT RISKY BEHAVIOUR I FINISHED A 4-WEEK PEP THERAPY (COMBIVIR) I STARTED 8 WEEKS BEFORE, AFTER PREVIOUS RISKY BEHAVIOUR
It is usually said that IV generation tests can detect p24 after 14 days. I had a test both 7 days and 14 days and 21 days after. But I heard that the window for detecting ANTIBODIES is extended after PEP (even if finished few months before-is it true?). AND IS THE WINDOW EXTENDED ALSO FOR DETECTING P24??? I havent taken any Combivir for a month before that behaviour so for sure there was no Combivir in my body, so I think the results should be quite reliable. Am I right???
It is very important for me because 5 days ago I had another very risky behaviour! (I KNOW-IT IS NOT SMART AND WILL NEVER DO IT AGAIN-I PROMISE!!!). I went to the doctor and he suggested another PEP-but he asked whether I had been HIV tested before (it was Sunday evening so there was no possibility to make a test then; as far as I am concerned you cannot take PEP if you are already HIV positive). I said I got tested 3 times but did not mention about previous PEP (at that time I did not know PEP can influence the window period-I was sure that 3 negative test results mean I am fine). So 5 started another PEP 5 days ago, but if Im taking it while already being HIV positive after the previous risky behaviour???
I can have another IV generation test tomorrow - but it will be after 6 days of taking Combivir (and 2,5 months after that risky behaviour that concerns me) - does it make sense to have that test tomorrow and if it is also negative keep taking PEP (fortunately I do not have any side effects).
Many thanks
Many thanks
Wed, 24 Sep 2014
Hi, dear.
I have gone through your question. I can understand your concern.
You have taken pep so window period is extended but its for seroconversion. It doesn't affect detection of p24 antigen. And 4th generation test detect both p24 antigen and antibodies. So for that matter its not causing problems. But the sensitivity of p24 is also questionable. If you are hiv positive then no any meaning of taking pep. So in this situation best thing to be done is pcr test. You should go for hiv pcr test. That willcclear all doubts. Then if you are hiv negative then take pep. And if found positive then take treatment accordingly.
Hope I have answered your question, if you have doubt then I will be happy to answer.
Thanks for using health care magic.
Wish you a very good health.
I have gone through your question. I can understand your concern.
You have taken pep so window period is extended but its for seroconversion. It doesn't affect detection of p24 antigen. And 4th generation test detect both p24 antigen and antibodies. So for that matter its not causing problems. But the sensitivity of p24 is also questionable. If you are hiv positive then no any meaning of taking pep. So in this situation best thing to be done is pcr test. You should go for hiv pcr test. That willcclear all doubts. Then if you are hiv negative then take pep. And if found positive then take treatment accordingly.
Hope I have answered your question, if you have doubt then I will be happy to answer.
Thanks for using health care magic.
Wish you a very good health.
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