[Question #13158] DBS mail in test conclusive
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2 months ago
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I saw another question on here related to mail in dried blood sample and when it is deemed conclusive. You mentioned that it’s still conclusive at 6 weeks and 8 weeks for HIV2. The CDC says 90 days for all finger prick tests.
questions:
1) why is it 45 days for 4th gen considered conclsuive if it’s 60 days for antibody hiv-2
2) is the 8 weeks including a buffer time? My brain keeps telling me I should wait until 3 months for a collusive answer just to be extra safe
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
2 months ago
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Welcome to the Forum. Thanks for your questions. Thanks as ell for looking at other interactions on the Forum. We make them available so that others can review and learn from them. FYI, I happened to be on the Forum when your questions arrived so you are getting a response more quickly than is typical. Any follow-ups (you have 2) may take longer.
DBS are widely accepted tests for HIV-1 and -2. Specific tests for HIV-2 take longer because they are antibody only tests, unlike the tests for HIV-1 which test for both antibodies and the virus (the p24 antigen). As a result the "window for HIV-2 tests is 8 weeks rather than 6.
You do not provide the specifics of your concerns or where you are located but I would add that if you are in North America, the chances of HIV-2 are extraordinarily low. There are only and handful (20-30) new cases of HIV-2 detected in the US each year and those are virtually all in persons from West Africa or parts of India.
In reply to your specific questions:
1) why is it 45 days for 4th gen considered conclsuive if it’s 60 days for antibody hiv-2
See my comments above.
2) is the 8 weeks including a buffer time? My brain keeps telling me I should wait until 3 months for a collusive answer just to be extra safe
Testing for HIV has evolved and become better since the tests were initiated nearly 40 years ago and now are more accurate, reliable and provide results faster than older tests. Initially, with antibody only tests a 3 month interval before results were considered conclusive was recommended. That is no longer the case and results of 4thgereration tests for HIV-1 are conclusive at 6 weeks and tests for HIV-2 at 8 weeks. There is no reason to worry until 3 months have passed to be confident in your results.
I hope that this information is helpful. EWH
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1 months ago
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Oral only exposure (I performed) in the US. Getting out of a relationship so want to feel reset. Would you say 8 weeks is conclusive for all STDS? As in no chance it can be false result?
And is 8 weeks including a buffer?
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1 months ago
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Also does it matter 8 weeks vs 60 days?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
1 months ago
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Results of testing for all STI’s, including HIV-1 abs -2, at eight weeks are conclusive. HIV-two should not be a concern. Even if it were, there should be no need for further testing. Be confident that all is well. EWH.---
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1 months ago
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Thank you. I assume 8 weeks contains enough buffer.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
1 months ago
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As I said, eight weeks is more than enough time.
There are no proven instances in which HIV has been transmitted by kissing, including deep kissing. HIV is transmitted only through penetrative sexual contact or injection of infectious material deep into tissue.
This completes this thread which will now be closed. Take care. Please don’t worry. EWH
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