[Question #322] duo tests accuracy
110 months ago
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Hello,
I’m a heterosexual female from Prague, Czech republic (Central Europe). I had an unprotected vaginal intercourse (probably for a couple of seconds, before I told my partner to put on a condom) and an oral sex with someone I didn’t know that well. It was my first sex ever. About 6-7 days after exposure I had a fever for one night and then a temperature the other day, altogether with a headache, fatique and muscle pain. The fever/temperature, headache and muscle pain lasted for approx. 1,5 days, and for a few couple of days I was just tired and probably had some swollen lymph nodes.
I had an HIV duo test (for p24 antigen and antibodies) about 7 weeks later (52 days), and it was negative. I accepted the result and was calm for a while, since I’ve read on the internet that duo tests should be conclusive 4 weeks after exposure. But then I started thinking about it again, because I’ve realized that I’m not sure if the information I’m reading online about HIV duo tests can apply to my country, since the official guideline for when HIV duo tests are conclusive is I think 8 weeks in my country.
So I have the following question:
Is my 52 days negative test conclusive? That means is the
HIV duo test conclusive after 4-6 weeks everywhere in the world, or more
precisely everywhere within Europe and North America? Is it possible that a duo
test done in the Czech republic is conclusive later, for example after those 8
weeks, for example because the testing method is different or the „testing
machines“ older (not really sure how it works)? From what I’ve learnt online,
the tests should be everywhere the same, but I’m not sure. Btw my HIV duo test
was done at probably the best institute where you can have the tests done in my
country.
Thank you very much for your help!
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
110 months ago
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110 months ago
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thank you so much for your answer, it was very helpful.
Best wishes, Karolina