rapid test accuray taken while on combivir

[sgap1107]

Hello all,
      I had an accident at work recently where I got a blood spill on my hands in an open cut.  I had to go to the ER 2-3 hours following the incident and they put me on combivir.  They also tested me for HIV at the time and are continuing to follow me up until one year.  I am just wondering how accurate is the hiv rapid fingerstick test, and would combivir affect my test results since it is killing the virus if I did get infected?.............. Thank you.
                       sgap

[Ann]

sg,

Didn't anyone explain the protocol to you? The combivir is what is called Post Exposure Prophylaxis - PEP. It's normally taken for 28 days after the exposure.

The three month window period begins at the end of the PEP. You need to test three months after your last dose of PEP for an accurate, conclusive result. As long as you are tested at the correct time, a rapid test is reliable.

Test at three months post-PEP, and that will be conclusive. You don't need to test out to one year.


Ann

[sgap1107]

ann thank you for your response- 
       i do understand the pep and the window period, however, to be certain, they follow their employees up until one year post exposure.  However, would the combivir affect the test.  For instance, if I was hiv positive before this exposure, would the combivir interfere with the accuracy of the result.  If an hiv infected person was on any antiviral, (not just combivir), would the result test negative?  In other words, would the viral load be undetectable???

 thanks, sgap

[Ann]

sg,

The test looks for hiv antibodies and if you were already hiv positive, the test would show the antibodies regardless of any anti-hiv medication you were taking or for how long.

So no, the combivir itself won't affect the antibody test. However, as the combivir might delay seroconversion if you were actually infected through the accident, you need to test out to three months past the last dose of combivir.

I don't know why your company tests for a year - even six months would be overkill.

At the end of the day, it's highly unlikely, PEP or no PEP, that you would be infected in the manner you describe. If I'm reading you correctly, you work in a medical setting. Infections occuring this way outside of a medical emergency setting are less than rare. IN a medical setting they are rare as well.

If you were infected prior to this accident, your baseline hiv test would reflect that, unless your were infected less than six weeks before the accident.

Ann