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Author Topic: Question about the DUO TEST  (Read 11755 times)

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Offline infoseekerlondon

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Question about the DUO TEST
« on: June 04, 2006, 11:41:32 am »

Hi all and thanks for this website

I have a question about testing. I am a male living in the UK and  I ve had a potential exposure 10 days ago. I was told about the duo test that tests for both antigens and antibodies, with a a minimum period before test of only 28 days.
I wanted to know if this test was as reliable as an ELISA  taken after 13 weeks. Does the duo test give false negative?
If the duo test is as reliable why isnt it the primary test used to detect HIV ?

I also have a related question. One of my siblings has lupus and I wanted to know if that could have an impact on the test results ( I dont think I have lupus myself) since lupus is an overreaction of the immune system.


Many thanks in advance

Offline scotslassie

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Re: Question about the DUO TEST
« Reply #1 on: June 04, 2006, 03:52:50 pm »
I dont know for sure, but Im sure that I have read it is still safe to wait the 13 weeks to get a conclusive result from the test. Even though the 4th gen tests can shorten the window perios, I guess it depends how lnog the individual takes to seroconvert?

Also I have seen that lupus can affect results giving a false positive, but not a false negative? Also if your sibling has it, it doesnt mean you have?

I might be speaking wrong here, I am scottish so forgive me  ;), but I think what Im saying is correct- but pelase feel free to corect me peeps

Offline Ann

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Re: Question about the DUO TEST
« Reply #2 on: June 04, 2006, 05:01:20 pm »
info,

I suspect you are talking about the duo test that people in the UK have been finding online. Don't waste your money. Hiv testing isn't conclusive until twelve weeks no matter what sort of test is used. You'd be far better off going to your local GUM clinic - it's free.

You don't mention what sort of "potential" risk you had. You might not even need to test. What happened that makes you worry about hiv infection?

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline infoseekerlondon

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Re: Question about the DUO TEST
« Reply #3 on: June 04, 2006, 06:04:55 pm »
Thanks for your messages guys

Scotslassie, I m not talking about the classic antibody test, you re right by saying that one is only conclusive after 13 weeks.
Ann the test I m referring to is called Vidas Duo by Merieux labs , i dont think its available online but at private clinics. I think it's used in switzerland as one of their standards. The way it works is that it tests for antigens and antibodies, reducing the window period as antigens develop before antibodies. Therefore if you have not seroconverted yet but have developped antigens it will detect them. Yet if you have already seroconverted it will detect the antibodies.
Has anyone used or heard anything about that test ?

Ann I had a condom failure 10 days ago with an unknown status woman met in a club, the condom broke and lef me exposed for a brief instant. I should test for peace of mind and anyway I believe its wise to test regularly.

Many thanks

Offline infoseekerlondon

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Re: Question about the DUO TEST
« Reply #4 on: June 04, 2006, 06:05:50 pm »
Oh and lassie thanks for the lupus info.

Offline Ann

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Re: Question about the DUO TEST
« Reply #5 on: June 04, 2006, 07:03:56 pm »
info,

Actually, the duo tests are standard ELISA tests coupled with a p24 antigen test and they are not conclusive. Any test result at any time must be confirmed with a standard ELISA at 12-13 weeks. Don't waste your money.

The soonest you should test is at six weeks, because the vast majority of people who have actually been infected will seroconvert and test positive by six weeks. A negative result at six weeks must be confirmed with a test at the 12-13 week point. You can get your six week test at your local GUM clinic for free.

Hiv is a fragile, difficult to transmit virus and more so from a woman to a man. It's highly unlikely that you would become infected from having a condom break, especially as you noticed right away. You were protected up until it broke.

Please read through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can avoid broken condoms in future. You should also read through the Transmission Lesson and the Testing Lesson. You will find the links in the Welcome thread at the top of this forum.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline infoseekerlondon

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Re: Question about the DUO TEST
« Reply #6 on: June 09, 2006, 05:00:16 am »
Thanks Ann


Offline Ann

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Re: Question about the DUO TEST
« Reply #7 on: June 09, 2006, 07:22:42 am »
You're welcome, Info.

You will notice that you now have three threads on this forum and two are locked. Please do not start new threads and please do not hijack other member's threads. Also, please read through the Welcome Thread so you can familiarize yourself with our posting guidelines.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Remember, it is highly unlikely that you would have become infected from this brief potential exposure. I say potential because she might not even have hiv herself and you can't transmit or expose someone to something you don't have.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline infoseekerlondon

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Re: Question about the DUO TEST
« Reply #8 on: June 23, 2006, 02:16:53 pm »
First of all, I seriously apologise for starting a new thread, I will keep all my questions on this one for now on. And I mean it Ann :) no more trouble from me :).

I have a couple more questions I need advice on if that's ok. I understand the low risk of my situation, however I am now avid to understand aids transmission as much as possible 

1 ) Is it possible to put on a condom the wrong way up?. Someone told me it was impossible and the condom would break.

2) will having completely protected sex during a window period alter/defer tests results. Will it trigger an extension of the window period ?

3) How is aids transmitted to males? Does it require bleeding cuts on the penis head?

many thanks for your information

Offline Ann

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Re: Question about the DUO TEST
« Reply #9 on: June 23, 2006, 03:35:30 pm »
info,

For a start, you cannot transmit aids. Aids is something that happens to people who are hiv positive. It is hiv that can be transmitted.

I would suggest you follow the Lessons links in the Welcome Thread. The transmission lesson is very good.

1. It is not possible to put a condom on the wrong way around because it will not roll down. Please read the condom and lube links in my signature line. They will tell you everything you need to know about using condoms correctly.

2. Protected intercourse is not a risk for hiv transmission therefore it does not extend the window period.

3. Hiv is transmitted to an insertive male partner usually through the lining of the urethra. This is why hiv is more difficult to transmit to the insertive male - because enough viable hiv has to get down inside of your urethra. (that's the tube your cum and pee comes through)

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 STIs together. To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with a sexually transmitted disease.

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.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline infoseekerlondon

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Re: Question about the DUO TEST
« Reply #10 on: July 07, 2006, 08:20:33 pm »
Thanks Ann

I had sex with a girl recently, I was totally protected, checked my condom during sexetc

however, I have a big concern as I  forgot to check the peremption date of the condom she gave me !

The condom did not break or anything and I checked it with water afterwards: no leaks

was this a risk session??

also am i right to think that this should not affect the window period since my previous potential exposure? thanks a lot

Offline Ann

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Re: Question about the DUO TEST
« Reply #11 on: July 07, 2006, 09:08:37 pm »
info,

The condom you used didn't break so there are no worries about the expiry date.

As I said before, protected intercourse is not a risk for hiv infection. That is why you are supposed to use condoms. They protect you from hiv and other sexually transmitted infections.

Your protected intercourse does not affect your window period.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline infoseekerlondon

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Re: Question about the DUO TEST
« Reply #12 on: July 09, 2006, 07:30:49 pm »
thanks for the answer Ann

In a previous post you mention that the common infection route for insertive men is the urethra, my question is the following: what would be the vector of transmission in insertive anal sex: is it solely blood?  I knowthat in the vagina the transmission vector could be either blood or vaginal secretions. But for the rectum I can only think of blood. Is that correct?

Can I infer from that that my chances from getting HIV from my insertive anal sex experience (with condom failrue) are very remote as I dont remember noticing any bleeding from my partner and no blood on my penis ?

Many thanks

Offline Ann

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    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Question about the DUO TEST
« Reply #13 on: July 09, 2006, 10:03:29 pm »
info,

There is lubricating mucus present in the rectum. (Plainly put, it helps you crap.) The virus may be present in this mucus in a positive person.

However, as the insertive partner who was protected by a condom for most of the time, you have an excellent chance of testing negative. I've yet to see an insertive partner with a condom break test positive.

You're going to be just fine.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline infoseekerlondon

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Re: Question about the DUO TEST
« Reply #14 on: July 10, 2006, 02:49:17 pm »
Good to know, many thaks for the info Ann

One last question though, I went to the barber once and I have noticed that he did not change the blade of the razor before using it on me, I ve searched the web and some sites (for example: http://www.walsall.gov.uk/hairdressing_health_and_safety.htm) mention a risk of infection through this route .  What is your view on that ?  Would it require him to cut me deeply with active bleeding or would micro-cuts be sufficient ?

Thanks

Offline Ann

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    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Question about the DUO TEST
« Reply #15 on: July 11, 2006, 05:08:21 am »
info,

The haircut thing is theoretical. Theoretical risks just don't happen in real life and there has never been a documented case of transmission through a haircut or other activities that happen at barber or hairdressing shops.

Barbers and hairdressers today have to stick to strict hygeine regulations. There are other infections that ARE passed on through unclean equipment that they have to guard against. Don't worry about hiv from a haircut. OK? That's a slippery slope to start on.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

 


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