tests and equivalences

[75CMIA]

first of all, congrats for puting up such a good way of information!
I do know that tests done before 12-13 weeks is not conclusive, but some say The 4th gen are more likely to pick up an early infection.
CDC guide lines say 90 days, is that 90 days.
All this generates a lot of confusion!
One I think the more people that test early, if possible, despite the cost to retest at 90 days, would decrease dramatically the risk OF passing the virus to others!
What is the difference from ELISA and CMIA tests?
4th gen tests, do or do not reduce the window period? If it does, how much sooner?
PCR RNA quantitative tests, are more susceptible to false negative or false positive? I have already learned that in this case it is called eclipse period? what time line can wee expect on this tests?
I have also learned that the virus multiplies it self very quick in the early infection and after a few weeks goes back down, but how low it will go? lower than the 50 copies per ml that the test can detect?
I have had an encounter on Jan, unprotected sex vaginal penetration, and to my "luck" she got her period in the middle of our action!
we both tested 68 days after we had sex, it was a CMIA test 4th gen, it came back neg for both of us.
At the 74 days mark I took a rapid test in Brazil, it was negative as well.
75 days mark, one day after the rapid test, I took One more CMIA 4th gen test and a quantitative PCR RNA test, taqman v2 hiv 1 & 2! they both came back non reactive and not detectable.
should I go ahead and retest at 90 days?
On the 84 th day I have developed some red spots, mostly on my shoulders, chest, and back, some look like follicles, but others are just red spots, they are quite apart from each other. I don't know if they are a reaction from the sun of last weekend or if it could be the HIV virus.
I would appreciate if some one with knowledge could help me out understanding!

Thank you

[Andy Velez]

You are making this situation way more complicated than you need to. With a negative result at 75 days already in hand, you virtually certain to test negative at 13 weeks/3 months.

At that point all generations of tests are reliable.

Nothing you are reporting symptomatically is suggestive of HIV/ARS.

Be patient for a little more time and I expect you will get a negative result.

[75CMIA]

thank you Andy.
I agree with you. I went here in Brazil to the icon on HIV, Dr David Uip, he told me the same thing.
But I just think that people would like to understand all this that I Have mentioned, and use my case as many others as source of information to learn how to deal with the yr own fears!
I this days there are so many different tests that is more confusing than ever.
ELISA
CMIA
PCR RNA
PCR DNA
quantitative
qualitative
3rd gen
4th gen
window period
eclipse period

So I be live that in this forum it must be some one with the wisdom to clarify some of this in one post, so more people can rely on it!

Thank you One more time, and I do think that forums like this are a real Gold to people seeking information!

where is this going to end?

[RapidRod]

PCR-RNA tests are supplemental tests and are not stand alone tests and must be used in conjunction with an antibody test.

PCR-DNA tests of any type are not approved for diagnostic use. They are monitoring tests for those that are KNOWN HIV POSITIVE to monitor their HIV progression.

[75CMIA]

i do understand that PCR RNA test have to be taken with an antibody test.
on my 84 th day I started showing some small red dots all over my back, mostly shoulders, they look like pimples , but they dont have the yellow centers, just inflamations.
on the 87 th day, had lunch and like 15 min after startet trowing up!
I will complet 90 days next sunday, will retest monday, just afraid of this signs!
On the 79 th day i have taken the first shot of hepatitis A/B vacine, can this interfere on the HIV test?
I have tested neg on the 68 th day, CMIA 4th gen.
on the 74 th day neg on a rapid test down in Brazil, bio manguinhos.
On the 75 th day neg on CMIA 4th gen
on the 75th day also not detectable on RT PCR RNA - Roche taqman v2 - 20 copies/ml
Can this little rash be a reaction from the hepatitis vacine?
thank you

[Ann]

75,

One thing is clear, you do not have hiv.

No, a vaccine will not interfere with hiv testing.

Your rash could be caused by nearly anything. One thing that did NOT cause your rash is hiv. You do not have hiv.

With the tests you have had so far, antibody testing at 90 days will be nothing more than a formality.

Ann

[75CMIA]

thank you for the info.
today Ihave completed 90 days post exposure, as I will retest on monday, just want to doble check.
the hepatitis vacine A anb B will not be a factor in my test for sure? It can not give me a false positive on the CMIA 4th gen?
just double cheking!

tahnk you again

[Ann]

75,

You've already been told that your vaccines will not interfere with your hiv testing.

Ann

[75CMIA]

just to update,

As I have completed my 90 days window period on saturday, today I went and got tested again just to get over with it!
Here in Brazil, even out of the window period, my health insurance provides the 4th gen CMIA test.
my result will come back the latest on the 5th, after tomorow, hope they run it before.....
I was informed that my hepatitis vacines are not a factor, even if I taken them 2 weeks ago.
lets hope I have the best of luck, and did not get infected!!!
It has being a roalercoaster ride!
When The girl I went out with and I tested neg 68 days post exposure, what a relieve..... but a couple days later, I did not feel well!
74 days went out to test again, on a public clinic, with a rapid test called biomanguinhos, from an institute here in brazil, it came out negative...... but what if the test was no good?
On day 75 tested again!!! But this time with the 4th gen CMIA an a RT-PCR RNA Quantitative taqman V2..... they both came back negative!
In this same day I tested for sifilis, hepatitis A/B... Negative as well!!!
So I went on and got the vacines for hep A/B 4 days later on april 19th!
On tuesday april 26, developed a rash, I dont know if a reaction from the vacine or in my mind HIV, at this point 86 days post contact! Next day felt, after lunch, sick.... I did throw up! my fears all came back again!!!
So today 93 days mark, got tested! will keep you informed, as this forum has helped me so much, and people did take the time to read and respond to my questions!
Thank you all very much!!!

[Ann]

75,

You are going to get another negative hiv test result. There's no doubt in my mind about this.

Ann

[Andy Velez]

75, your anxiety is causing you to make this situation more complicated than it needs to be. Like Ann, I expect you to test negative again.

[75CMIA]

After all this testing, and not feelling well, today I got my results for my 93 days test!
They did run it early, and what a great result!!!!


NEGATIVE!!!!


Hope more people will learn from my experience!!!!

HIV1/HIV2, ANTICORPOS E ANTÍGENO, soro

Métodos: Imunoensaio quimioluminescente de 4a geração - CMIA
         HIV1 : envelope (antígeno recombinante e peptídeo sintético)
         HIV2 : envelope (peptídeo sintético)
         Anticorpo monoclonal contra antígeno p24


RESULTADO                            VALOR DE REFERÊNCIA

NÃO REAGENTE (NEGATIVO)              Não Reagente : Inferior a 1,0
Índice: 0,08                         Indeterminado:  De  1,0 a 7,0
                                     Reagente     : Superior a 7,0


OBS.: De  acordo  com  a portaria da Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde do
      Ministério  da  Saúde  nº  151 de 14/10/2009 em caso de suspeita de
      infecção  pelo  HIV  uma  nova  amostra deverá ser coletada 30 dias
      após a data da coleta desta amostra.


Amostra recebida em: 03/05/2011
                                     Liberado em: 04/05/2011 as 11:24h
                           Resp.: DR CELSO F. H. GRANATO - CRM 34307SP
                                   Ficha No.: 7800870631 de 03/05/2011

I just need to try to find out what is it that I have, since I had a mild fever last night, and have a very concetrate pain in the left side of my abdomen!

Thank you all for taking the time again, I will stay safe from now on, and hope that everybody else that is going thru the same situation that I did, will remain negative!!!
The best of wishes, and a special thank to Ann and Andy, your work realy stands out!

[Ann]

75,

You're welcome.

You're also conclusively hiv negative. You do not have hiv.

Please remember what you've learned here. Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!

Ann

[Andy Velez]

That's very, very happy news.

Follow Ann's admonitions about using condoms everytime for intercourse and you will stay negative in relation to sexual risk for HIV.

Cheers.

[75CMIA]

Andy, Ann,

Quick questio.
Can you tell me if there is any report or case of healthy that have tested poz only after the 90 days?

Thanks

[75CMIA]

Read healthy people.

[Andy Velez]

"Healthy people"? 

The only situations in which it is necessary to test to 6 months are those in which longterm intravenous drug use is involved or organ transplant or treatment for a disease such as cancer.

You are HIV negative. Let go of this issue and get on with your life.

[75CMIA]

Thank you for the answer!
Last question and I will rest!
Is it true that people coinfected with hepatitis and HIV, will take longer to seroconvert?
I did read one post where the person did say that he tested neg for entire Six months due to the coinfection!
What if I have aquired both virus at the same time?
I ask because on my last post I have stated my abdominal pain. After going to the hospital, diagnosed with diverticulitis, and on the ct enlarged spleen

[75CMIA]

And I have a rash red, raised, about the size of my hand, on my gluteus, my wife got sick today, flu, and body pain, very severe, no fever, pain in the ear.
The girl I had my thing with, admited to the use of extasy, and she did mention her boy friend was a cocaine user.
As she did get her period during our sex activity, I am afraid about coinfection!
She did test neg 68 days post our relation!
Thanks ince more

[Andy Velez]

That's all more totally irrelevant information.

We still expect you to test negative.

[Ann]

75,

You are conclusively hiv negative. You do not have hiv.

If you read the Welcome Thread before posting like you're supposed to, you will have read the following posting guideline:

Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusive negative result or no-risk situation, will be subject to a four week Time Out (a temporary ban from the Forums). If you continue to post excessively after one Time Out, you may be given a second Time Out which will last eight weeks. There is no third Time Out - it is a permanent ban. The purpose of a Time Out is to encourage you to seek the face-to-face help we cannot provide on this forum.

Please consider yourself warned!

Ann