[Question #11578] Coinfection hcv / hiv

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13 months ago
Hi, doctors I'm here again. I would like to ask about if there possibility that a coinfection of hcv & hiv can alter the window period of 3 month. 
My questions are:
Can the coinfection of hcv or hbv or hav /hiv can delayed the seroconversion or this an outdate information?
The 4th gen ag/ab lab test hiv may need to be repeated at 6 months due to the coinfection?

My 4th gen p24 ab test hiv on the 16 weeks can change at 21 weeks due to the coinfection?

I really apprecciate your expert information.
Regards

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Edward W. Hook M.D.
13 months ago
Welcome back to the Forum although I'm sorry you felt the need.  As I said 4 days ago "You have proven repeatedly that you were not infected by your encounter of concern.  Your 3rd generation, antibody only tests are conclusive any time more than 8 weeks after exposure and 4th generation, combination HIV antigen/antibody tests are conclusive any time more than six weeks after an exposure.  The fact that you have multiple negative tests using different test types makes the possibility of falsely negative tests impossible . " Thank answer is not going to change.

You may have been looking for information on the internet where many of our clients find incorrect statements about the possibility of hepatitis delaying HIV sero-conversion. This is a myth.

FYI, hepatitis C is rarely transmitted sexually.  The main mode of hepatitis C transmission is through shared needles and, very rarely through receptive rectal intercourse.

Once again, I urge you to accept the test results which PROVED that you did not acquire HIV.  This answer is not going to change.  EWH

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13 months ago
Thank you a lot again Doctor.
Really appreaciate your information.
Hope this is going to be my last question, I've been reading that p24 is just detectable between 2 weeks to 6 weeks. Or other theory is that the p24 dissapear only when the antibodies appear. My question is:
The 4th gen test is equal effective in the week 6 than in the week 16? Thank you a lot again
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
13 months ago
You've been misled by the internet again.

p24 antigen is part of the virus itself.  As a result it is sometimes positive before antibodies are detected.  With antibody formation, levels of p24 antigen may decline.  In persons who acquire HIV at ALL times after 6 weeks the p24 antigen, or the HIV antibody, or both may be positive but at least one of these is ALWAYS positive.  Whether one target of the test (i.e. p24 antigen or the antibody test is positive makes no difference.

Please stay off the internet, it is causing you to worry unnecessarily and making extra work for us.  

Believe your test results.  EWH

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13 months ago
Thank you Doctor Edward W. Hook, my questions on this topic is the reliability of the 3rd and 4th gen rapid tests, because they differ from the lab tests. My questions are because here in my country despite the labs claim to have the 4th or 3rd gen, they use rapid tests. They take the blood sample from your vein and extract the serum but at the end the sample is applied on rapid test.

My questions are:

Any rapid tests are conclusive at 90 days?

4th gen rapid test is also reliable to detect antigen?

It is true that rapid tests have a wider window period than lab tests?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
13 months ago
Sigh- more than 42-45 days following a potentially risky encounter results are conclusive, whether they are obtained in a laboratory or rapid test.   Your questions are repetitive:

Any rapid tests are conclusive at 90 days?
All rapid 4th generation tests are conclusive at 90 days, as stated above.

4th gen rapid test is also reliable to detect antigen?
YES

It is true that rapid tests have a wider window period than lab tests?
No

This will be my final response as part of this thread.  The answers are not going to change. I urge you to accept your test results.  We discourage repetitive, anxiety driven questions.  Should you return with additional questions about test reliability, the thread may be deleted without return of your posting fee.  
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13 months ago
Thank you a lot Dr. Edward W. Hook, thank you for rour patient, knowledge and time, really appreciate  and grateful also for your guidance.