HIV-RNA test

[quadoikinhhoang]

Dear Sirs
I am a member of HIV forum in Vietnam
Now we have the problem need to be clear
Could you help me to answer this question?
If the lab used the Standard Machine to test HIV-RNA (lowest level is 250 copies/ml), how many days after exposure this machine can detect the infected people?
Thanks and best regard,

[RapidRod]

HIV-RNA is a supplemental test. It's not a stand alone test and must be followed up with an antibody test. To get a conclusive negative result you need to test at 3 months.

[quadoikinhhoang]

Thanks RapidRod,
I agree with your suggestion
But someone cann't wait up to 3 months to take an antibody test
Should I ask them to wait at least how many days after exposure to take HIV-RNA test?
Notice that the lowest level of equipment is 250 copies/ml in Vietnam to detect the virus
Thanks and best regard

[Ann]

quad,

They are just going to have to wait for the end of the window period like anyone else. There is no reason to use RNA testing unless they were the receptive partner in unprotected intercourse where the insertive partner is KNOWN to be hiv positive. I suspect this is not the case.

Ann

[quadoikinhhoang]

Dear Ann
The main problem is how long do they take a RNA-HIV test after exposure?
We regularly ask them test again after 3 months. We always state that the conclusive result must be antibody test after 3 months
RNA-HIV test is a suggestion for who was very worry.
Best regard

[Ann]

quad,

The RNA test will normally show results around a week after infection has taken place.

HOWEVER, as I said before, unless this worried person has been the receptive partner with a person who is definitely KNOWN to be hiv positive, an RNA test is not considered best practice. A positive result on an RNA test still MUST be confirmed with the standard antibody test.

May I ask what has this person so worried? Have they actually had a risk? We see people here all the time who want to have PCR tests done when they haven't had a risk.

Ann

[quadoikinhhoang]

Dear Ann
Thank you very much about your answer
What do you mean about the RNA-HIV result around a week?
This mean the person who want to take RNA-HIV test have to wait at least a week before taking a RNA-HIV test.
Please explain to me clear
I tell you about the risk: he had unprotected sex with CSW 3 days ago
Best regard

[Ann]

This mean the person who want to take RNA-HIV test have to wait at least a week before taking a RNA-HIV test.

Quad,

Yes, the person should wait at least a week before having the RNA test.

I tell you about the risk: he had unprotected sex with CSW 3 days ago

This is not a situation where the RNA test should be used.

Hiv is a fragile, difficult virus to transmit and more so from a woman to a man. One incident of unprotected vaginal intercourse is unlikely to result in the insertive partner becoming infected. It is considered fairly low risk for the insertive partner.

However, low risk is not NO risk and he does need to test, but not with RNA. He only needs to test with the standard antibody test. The earliest he should test is at six weeks. The vast majority of people who have actually been infected will seroconvert and test positive on the antibody test by six weeks. A six week negative must be confirmed at three months, but is unlikely to change

I would fully expect this person to test negative following one incident of unprotected intercourse - but he does need to test. He also needs to be tested for the other sexually transmitted infections as ALL of them are MUCH more easily transmitted than hiv.

He needs to start using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, every time, no exceptions. Please read through all three condom and lube links in my signature line so you can tell him how to use condoms correctly.

Ann

[quadoikinhhoang]

Dear Ann
Thanks again
I am very confuse about RNA-HIV test now
Because I read the time for RNA-HIV test is 48-72 hours after infection on this website
http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/HIVtests_4717.shtml

So what should I give to my friend to wait before taking RNA-HIV test? 72 hours or a week?
Please help me as soon as possible
Best regard

[Ann]

quad,

Your friend should not take an RNA test at all. He doesn't need it. He should wait six weeks and take a standard antibody test and repeat the test at the three month point when he receives his negative result.

The earliest the RNA can detect hiv is 48 - 72 hours. If hiv is present, it will likely be picked up by a week.

I will repeat, your friend DOES NOT need to take an RNA test. They are very expensive and using one for this relatively low risk is not warranted. Whether his result is negative or positive, it will still need to be confirmed with antibody testing. RNA testing in this situation is a waste of time, money and resources.

It is highly unlikely, even if the sex worker is hiv positive, that your friend would have become infected from a one-time insertive event.

Ann

[quadoikinhhoang]

Dear Ann,
thanks for your reply,
I try to persuade him to wait at least 6 weeks to take antibody test, but he is really worry now (after exposure 4 days).
I want to know how is the time the person to wait to take RNA test for most cases (everyone usually did that)
I mean how long does he wait to take RNA test with the most reliable result for his case (unprotected sex)?
Best regard,   

[Ann]

I mean how long does he wait to take RNA test with the most reliable result for his case

quad,

I've already told you - a week.

I hope you can persuade your friend to not use the RNA test. It's totally unnecessary.

Ann

[quadoikinhhoang]

Dear Ann,
Thanks for your help
Best wish to you

[quadoikinhhoang]

I am sorry for being so troublesome again, here is my scenario that makes me worry!

I meet my old friend! we had protected sex, after I ejaculated and she used the toilet paper to wipe her vagina, then she passed that paper to me to wipe my penis. There was some vaginal fluid or even menstrual blood left in that paper(from her vagina). Could I catch HIV in that way? HIV died before it got contact to my penis?.Right?

I am sorry for bothering you again, the Forum.

[RapidRod]

No, you cannot contract HIV in the manner that you presented.

[Andy Velez]

HIV is a fragile virus. As Rod has told you, it is absolutely not passed in the manner you have most recently written about. You do not have to worry any further about it.

Just make sure you are always using a condom when you have either vaginal or anal intercourse.

[quadoikinhhoang]

Dear all,

I am a bit worried because I hid the detail that the incident was happened during my trip to Geylang( the sex-industry street in SIngapore), and the "old friend" was a sex-worker. I was so shameful that I just told that I met my old friend.

I was afraid that her period was not over because when she passed the toilet paper to me, I saw some black or red stain in the paper. And she did not allow me to finger her.

You said that I was not at risk. Thanks you! Could you confirm that HIV can not live once it is exposed to the air? You mean that the paper would absorbed the water( from the fluid) then HIV was killed. Or the air would kill off HIV b4 it could enter the lining of the urethra inside my penis? I am wondering because the fluid or blood was very fresh. It was just some seconds outside her body.

Thanks again, I will never in this situation again! It is miserable enough and I cannot concentrate on my work at all.

[Andy Velez]

Even with those additional details you still weren't at risk. So you were with a sex worker. Big deal! Take a breath and let it go.

Still no risk. Except for guilt and shame. Do yourself a big favor, see it, accept what happened and get on with your life. Really.

[quadoikinhhoang]

Thank you, ANDY.

Many incidents come from drinking. Under the influence of alcohol, I can not control my self.

May be I will give up drinking or limit the bad habit after the incident mentioned here. Drinking and Sex and STDs, they are the axis of evils.

Thanks Andy again,

[Andy Velez]

You're welcome. And if you need professional or supportive help with stopping your excessive drinking then get it.

Good luck to you.

[quadoikinhhoang]

Hello the Team,

Does Rabies vaccine effect the seroconvert of HIV? I asked this because I was bitten by a stranger dog and I had to take 05 shots of Verorab vaccine( the vaccine made to create the antibody against Rabies). Then one week after the accident, I was stuck by the syringe on the grass.

These months seemed to be very unlucky to me!

If I was infected, does the Rabies vaccine make the seroconvert longer? Does the symptoms of acute period of HIV occur as usual?

Many respect from me,

Quadoikinhhoang,

[Matty the Damned]

Rabies vaccine? Good lord. You were not at risk in the first place.

Nevertheless, for the benefit of others who might be reading this thread, rabies vaccination does not affect the HIV window period nor change the requirements around testing.

Quad, I'm referring this thread to the Moderators for review.

MtD

[quadoikinhhoang]

Hi Matty,

I have been searching the forum for the scenario similar to me! No such case. The 1st accident was that I was playing football(soccer) and I kicked the syringe. It made my leg a little blooding.

I went to see the doctor right away, the doctor told me that I needed to take the vaccine against Tetanus(sorry for the misspelling). But the syringe was fresh so I ignored that vaccine. But one week passing by I was involved in the accident( bitten by a dog).

So complicated!

Thanks Matty,

What is the second opinion?

[quadoikinhhoang]

Hi all,

I want to add the additional info, when I kicked and stuck by the syringe, I picked it and saw, there was no visible blood in it! But the syringe was fresh. But I think that the syringe was used for IV drug injection. Was HIV in the syringe killed off by the water? Assuming that blood in the syringe was dissolved by the water.

I am waiting for the answer,

Quadoi!

[Ann]

Quad,

You haven't had a risk.

Ann