POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: jmeich88 on April 06, 2013, 10:05:50 am
-
Hello,
I would like to know how reliable the RNA test is, the test that looks for the 'actual' virus in your blood. I went in for testing two weeks after a low risk/no risk exposure...I decided to get tested for peace of mind and just to make sure since I received mixed opinions. I ended up going to UCSF's Alliance Health Project. We did an antibody test and then they took blood in two tubes. They said the window period for the RNA is two weeks and it would pick up anything past two weeks. Before, I went to UCSF, I called several other places, including Magnet SF and SF City Clinic. They ALL offered the test. The result of my test came back negative....Ann, I know you have said 4 weeks after exposure with a antibody test?
Thoughts please.
-
Hello,
I would like to know how reliable the RNA test is, the test that looks for the 'actual' virus in your blood. I went in for testing two weeks after a low risk/no risk exposure...I decided to get tested for peace of mind and just to make sure since I received mixed opinions. I ended up going to UCSF's Alliance Health Project. We did an antibody test and then they took blood in two tubes. They said the window period for the RNA is two weeks and it would pick up anything past two weeks. Before, I went to UCSF, I called several other places, including Magnet SF and SF City Clinic. They ALL offered the test. The result of my test came back negative....Ann, I know you have said 4 weeks after exposure with a antibody test?
Thoughts please.
Well, the PCR test is hardly ever used as part of a diagnostic routine outside of a healthcare situation. It's an expensive test, and is essentially a waste of time, money and resources. It is also not a substitute for an antibody test.
Might I ask what was your risk?
-
fingering, genital secretions coming into contact with a cut. Had a pretty bad sore throat for a week, so my head started spinning. I know its considered low risk/no risk. But I need to test for peace of mind.
The tests are free at all the locations here in San Francisco. Even the CDC states that such a test has a shortened window period. It is all a bit confusing since SF has a large amount of people with the virus and yet they are promoting something that isn't used for diagnosing HIV? I find it all confusing....
when would be an accurate time to obtain an antibody result? I know Ann has given the advice to others at 4 weeks...did I read that correctly?
-
You never had an exposure and there are no tests marketed or sold to give a conclusive negative test earlier than 3 months post exposure.
-
I certainly hope you take the time to read our fairly thorough LESSONS section on transmission. Fingering with or without cuts is roughly the same degree of HIV risk as sitting in a room with a positive person.
No one in the rather extensively researched thirty-plus years of the HIV pandemic has ever been even thought to have become infected through fingering. You will not be making medical history here.
-
Thanks......Ann, Can I Have your opinion about RNA TESTING? please.
thanks
-
jm,
In your situation, it is a complete waste of time, money and resources. You do not even need antibody testing over this situation, let alone RNA testing.
RNA PCR testing is only meant to be used in a very few, very specific types of situations, such as an actual high risk. An example; being the receptive partner in unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse where the insertive partner is KNOWN to be hiv positive).
With RNA testing there is the possibility of a false negative or false positive. While the DNA PCR tests are more prone to false positives, either false result can happen with either test.
When there has actually been a risk (you did NOT have a risk), RNA testing is not a stand-alone test. Any result, positive or negative, must be confirmed with the appropriate antibody tests at the appropriate time.
When there has actually been a risk (you did NOT have a risk), the earliest one should test for antibodies is at six weeks. The vast majority of people who have actually been infected will seroconvert and test positive by six weeks, with the average time to seroconversion being only 22 days.
A six week negative antibody result must be confirmed at the three month point, but is highly unlikely to change.
You do NOT need hiv testing over this NO RISK situation. Fingering is NOT a risk for hiv infection. Not one person has ever been infected through fingering and you are not going to be the first.
Here's what you need to know in order to avoid hiv infection:
You need to be using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no exceptions until such time as you are in a securely monogamous relationship where you have both tested for ALL sexually transmitted infections together.
To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with an STI. Sex without a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.
Have a look through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.
Anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.
If you aren't already having regular, routine check-ups, now is the time to start. As long as you make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, you can fully expect your routine hiv tests to return with negative results.
Don't forget to always get checked for all the other sexually transmitted infections as well, because they are MUCH easier to transmit than hiv. Some of the other STIs can be present with no obvious symptoms, so the only way to know for sure is to test.
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!
Ann