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Is 15th day PCR RNA TEST conclusive for HIV?

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Taking PCR RNA hiv test on 15th day post unprotected exposure is conclusive or it will also require further confirmation

Category: Sexologist

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Hello,

Thank you for asking your query at DoctorSpring

I am not sure you are already diagnosed with HIV or not. If not, then you should not go for RNA test. It can have a false positive result. RNA tests are used for disease monitoring.

You can go for a fourth generation HIV test (Combo) if available as early as 16 to 18 days from exposure. That will be a better choice.

Thank you
Let me know whether I can assist you further.


Patient replied :

Dear Dr Two things I wanna know one how reliable combo test at 18th day post unprotected exposure and second I have read PCR RNA Qualitative detects for viral but not for the viral load so it will give either yes or no and people says at 21 day it is virtually 100% conclusive please suggest


Hello, the combo test is reliable on 18th day. You can repeat ELISA at 6weeks , 12weeks and 24 weeks just to be on the safer side.
PCR RNA Qualitative Test is done in patients already diagnosed with HIV, or in patients in whom HIV is highly suspected. They do it in patients who have symptoms highly suggestive of HIV, inspite of the above test being negative. But PCR RNA is not used as a diagnostic test because of high false positive results. The false positive results are in the range of 2-9 percent. False positive result will end up causing even more stress in the person and hence this test is not used as a diagnostic test.
I hope this has helped.
Thankyou


Patient replied :

Dear Doctor Thanks for your advice Some things I want to know about the earlier asked question
1: You must be diagnosed people who are having HIV infection how often men get infected in a hetrosexual behaviour from a women and when the status is not known and the men had only one time unprotected sex exposure that too veginal only with a sex worker (my case).
2: After getting the test on 18th day post exposure can it be necessary to take ELISA test as Duo test is looking for both the components and I hope you are from India and the duo test is available in India with CMIA technology and some of the doctors says it is as good as accurate on 28th day post exposure means you are virtually 100% infection free please suggest.
3: And last but not the least getting a negative/ Non reactive report at 18th day is as good as conclusive (generally)as you must see so many report of people and you know anxiety and trauma will make life very stressful
Waiting for your early reply


Hello,
1)The rate of men getting infected from a women is 5 per 10,000 exposures. But in case the woman is a sex worker the risk is slightly higher.
2) Yes the Duo test is very effective when done on the 28th day, but to be on the safer side it is better to repeat the ELISA test atleast once. You can do it in the 12th week.
3) Yes on the 18th day the negative/ non reactive report is generally good conclusive, but to be on the safer side as I said earlier, it is better to repeat the ELISA test.


I hope this has helped.
Thankyou


Patient replied :

Dear doctor the test result for 18th day is non reactive is this reliable (test is hiv 1 and 2 antibodies screening and P24 antigen combo test) taking this test on 28th day is accurate? As I still don't understand some doctors says it is conclusive on 28th day as it will look for P24 antigen along with antibodies which is at peak on 16th day and mostly antibodies will be detected after 25 days please suggest.
Secondly I don't have any symptoms apart from my anxiety which divert my focus from my work so please let me know can I rely on this result and looking forward although I have been taking the test on 28th day also and on 42nd day.
Thirdly taking this combo test is looking for antibody and antigen so taking this test at 12th week is reliable or only antibody test that you mentioned is more reliable
Fourth this must be a fourth generation test so this must be developed taking all the things into consideration and I have seen on every site that this will detect the infection of any by 4th week please suggest waiting for your early reply


Hello,
Yes, if you have done the combo antigen / antibody test, on 18th day and it is non reactive, the result is reliable. Yes on 28th day too it is very accurate.
You said you have been taking the test on 28th day and 42nd day. If you have already taken the test twice, and the result is negative, you have nothing to worry.
In the 12th week , both the combo antigen / antibody and only antibody test are equally reliable, hence you need not take the combo tests as only the antibody test is good enough at that time.
Yes the combo test is the fourth generation test as detects infection as early as 18th day to the 4th week. 4th week.
And you do not have symptoms so you need not worry.

I hope this has helped.

Thankyou


Dr. Srikanth Reddy
Category: Sexologist
Experience: 
Doctor of Medicine (MD), Psychiatry Residency Program,2001 – 2012
M.B.B.S,Mahatma Gandhi Institute Of Medical Sciences, Sevagram

Certificate Course in sex Therapy and Counselling, Sexology and Counselling, A
Sexology,Medikon Sexual Sciences, Mumbai

Training in Advanced Neurology at a leading corporate hospital (CARE hospital) in Hyderabad

Child Psychiatry Training in National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences, Bangalore

Sex Therapy and Counsellingat MEDIKON Sexual Sciences, Mumbai.
Dr. Srikanth Reddy and 4 other Medical Specialists are ready to help you

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