[Question #3697] Symptoms or Tests? 2nd Post- Dr. Handsfield 2nd opinion
86 months ago
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
86 months ago
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86 months ago
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86 months ago
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
86 months ago
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85 months ago
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Thank you for all the information. There is ALOT out there. I think what worries me the most still is the timing of it all. All symptoms started right after exposure and my Dr and me have not come to any conclusions about it at all. I read in another post today(trying to do research before I ask), that tests are “typically positive” when symptoms “resolve”. I still to this day have them, now a little over 5 months afterwards. In the end, I feel I have done many tests to test for HIV, but have a couple final questions if you may. There is NOT MUCH out there on HIV-2
1)Regarding HIV-2 specifically, you mentioned antibody test would be positive already? Are there considerations in which you have to go past the time I took the tests?(longer than four months) to be absolutely sure? Do you need to continue to test for it after a 4month test, even with new symptoms?
2)Are the combo tests as sensitive as a specific EIA for HIV-2?
3)Can the symptoms of HIV from recent exposure(like mine) last months without a positive test HIV 1 antigen/antibody OR HIV-2 antibody?, and wax and wane in severity?
4)In the setting of ongoing symptoms(not resolved though), can I feel secure that my tests are accurate and would readily detect ANY infection by the 18 week mark? Are there situations where one would cast doubt on their accuracy?
5)Even in light of such mysterious symptoms/timing/severity, as well as many systemic whole body things going on, should/is there a reason for me to feel compelled to test any further out from what I have done, so as to make sure ALL is ruled out for my health as well as the health of my loved ones?
6)Finally, what would you say is the outside window period for HIV-1 with the DUO test as it tests for both the antigen/antibody, and what about HIV-2 with the duo as it only has the antibody component? I was unclear on your prior response.
Thank you for your time/professionalism
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
85 months ago
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1)Regarding HIV-2 specifically, you mentioned antibody test would be positive already? Are there considerations in which you have to go past the time I took the tests?(longer than four months) to be absolutely sure? Do you need to continue to test for it after a 4month test, even with new symptoms?
The only situation where it MIGHT (but probably would not) take longer for a HIV-2 test to become positive is when someone had taken PEP (anti-HIV drugs) in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent infection.
2)Are the combo tests as sensitive as a specific EIA for HIV-2?
Yes, absolutely.
3)Can the symptoms of HIV from recent exposure(like mine) last months without a positive test HIV 1 antigen/antibody OR HIV-2 antibody?, and wax and wane in severity?
Absolutely not.
4)In the setting of ongoing symptoms(not resolved though), can I feel secure that my tests are accurate and would readily detect ANY infection by the 18 week mark? Are there situations where one would cast doubt on their accuracy?
Yes, you should have complete confidence in your test results.
5)Even in light of such mysterious symptoms/timing/severity, as well as many systemic whole body things going on, should/is there a reason for me to feel compelled to test any further out from what I have done, so as to make sure ALL is ruled out for my health as well as the health of my loved ones?
The only thing that you will accomplish with further testing related to this exposure is wasting your time and money. Taking the money and lighting it on fire would be equally productive.
6)Finally, what would you say is the outside window period for HIV-1 with the DUO test as it tests for both the antigen/antibody, and what about HIV-2 with the duo as it only has the antibody component? I was unclear on your prior response.
For HIV-1 the outside limit for combination tests is 6 weeks and in my opinion that figure is conservative. For HIV-2, because the infection is so rare (in the U.S. between 1987 and 2009 there were 166 persons diagnosed with HIV-2 or who 132 occurred among persons who were from west Africa; during the same time 1,400,000 Americans acquired HIV). the data are less precise but all available data suggest that by 8-12 weeks antibody tests would be definitive.