[Question #12727] Confused on something new

5 months ago

This is a question about a new topic.

I have seen on a few posts by Dr HHH that some HIV rapid tests will miss infections.. for example- ( 2-4 % ) no matter when they are taken. I am curious and maybe I just misunderstood but I knew about the Oraquick oral swab testing missing infections ….. What about a 4th generation HIV fingerprick ( Abbott Determine or Alere Ab/Ag ) ? I always have seen posts here stating that the 4th generation rapid fingerprick tests are just as good and conclusive as lab based 4th generation tests if taken after 45 days. Just please explain …. Didn’t know if new information has came out… I tested negative at 37 days and 46 days with HIV rapid fingerpick 4th generation tests after the woman who I was with stopped being together. Bout to go on a cruise Saturday and got tested for peace of mind. Just wanted to make sure the 4th generation rapid fingerprick hiv tests were still as reliable as lab based tests these days. Please answer so I can enjoy my trip with my son.

Thank you

Edward W. Hook M.D.

5 months ago

Your OCD is showing . This is your 8th question in less than a year. This borders on abuse of the Forum. You already know about the limitations/occasional problems with the OraQuick tests. Other fingerstick HIV rapid tests perform in a manner equivalent to laboratory based tests and are highly reliable. All tests VERY RARELY give incorrect answers but these are vanishingly rare and any SINGLE response should be considered reliable. In your case the probability of getting two incorrect test results when the test is performed twice is virtually zero. Believe your results. No need for further testing. Please do not return to the Forum with further OCD driven questions. EWH---

5 months ago

Ok just so I understand clearly. Last 2 questions and I’m out of here. Thank you so much for answering so I can enjoy my trip…

1) Since I took 2 hiv rapid 4th generation fingerprick tests ( 37 and 46 days ) and they were both negative , regardless of what I have seen and got confused on it other posts, I can move on without any further testing and can believe that these rapid 4th generation fingerprick tests are just as reliable as lab based 4th generation tests once I get negative results , especially at the 46 days mark ?

2) And when you wrote “ All tests VERY RARELY give incorrect answers but these are vanishingly rare and any SINGLE response should be considered reliable“….What do you mean by ( Single Response ) ?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

5 months ago

Repetitive

1. Correct

2. This is your OCD. There is no such thing as a perfect test however with two negative tests your results are absolutely conclusive.

Address your OCD. Please do not return. EWH

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5 months ago

Thank you so much.

Yes I know there is nothing in life 100%. I will also trust my negative rapid 4th generation HIV results and will not do any further testing……

I was just confused on what you meant by single response in “ All tests VERY RARELY give incorrect answers but these are vanishingly rare and any SINGLE response should be considered reliable “.

As my last follow up question…

Does “ single response “ mean the same thing as “ single result “ in the reply you gave me in the first response you wrote ? Just was confused on what ( single response ) was.

I swear that’s all. Thank you so much. You are a true blessing

Edward W. Hook M.D.

5 months ago

Sigh. “ single response”= “single result”. EWK---