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Main Forums => I Just Tested Poz => Topic started by: Betelgeuse on May 29, 2011, 02:18:56 am

Title: Seroconversion
Post by: Betelgeuse on May 29, 2011, 02:18:56 am

What exactly does it mean to be "seroconverted"?

I looked up the definition in Wikipedia, but I didn't quite understand its explanation.  Is there something chemically that occurs in the blood when the testing takes place that results in a positive outcome?

Sorry for the newbish question. 

Title: Re: Seroconversion
Post by: Matty the Damned on May 29, 2011, 02:26:29 am

Quote from: Betelgeuse on May 29, 2011, 02:18:56 am

What exactly does it mean to be "seroconverted"?

I looked up the definition in Wikipedia, but I didn't quite understand its explanation.  Is there something chemically that occurs in the blood when the testing takes place that results in a positive outcome?

Sorry for the newbish question. 

Seroconversion is the term we use to describe the point at which your body manufactures measurable quantities of specific antibodies in response to HIV infection.

Seronegative people have no detectable HIV antibodies. Seropositive people do. It follows that there is a point after infection at which you shift from being seronegative to seropositive.

Since HIV antibodies are a specific response to HIV infection (ie nothing but HIV can trigger their production) their presence in your blood serum is a clinically reliable indicator that you have the virus.

MtD

Title: Re: Seroconversion
Post by: Betelgeuse on May 29, 2011, 02:29:04 am

Thank you for your kind explanation.

Title: Re: Seroconversion
Post by: Matty the Damned on May 29, 2011, 02:29:33 am

Quote from: Betelgeuse on May 29, 2011, 02:29:04 am

Thank you for your kind explanation.

You're more than welcome B.

Also, welcome to the Forums. :)

MtD