[Question #7315] Hiv Test

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58 months ago
Would a 4th generation test be 100% conclusive after 47 days?  
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58 months ago
It was a high risk exposure. 
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
58 months ago
Welcome to the Forum. Thanks for your question.  I'll be glad to comment.  Irrespective of the risk of your exposure, results of 4th generation, HIV antigen/antibody tests are completely reliable at any time more than 6 weeks following that exposure.  Your 47 day results are conclusive- there is no need for further testing related to your exposure 47 days ago.  EWH
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58 months ago
Thank you for your answer.  

I’m just curious why the CDC recommends a 12 week confirmation  test?  Doesn’t this tie up a lot of time, money, testing resources, etc?  No telling how many tests are wasted between the 6 and 12 week window period?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
58 months ago
The CDC recommendations can be confusing and are reliably very conservative as they do not feel that they can “afford” to ever be wrong.  They do however indicate tha when tested with a fourth generation, combination antigen/antibody test for HIV, results are reliable within 45 days (that is affectively six weeks) following exposure. The time window for absolutely reliable antibody only HIV test however is longer, up to 90 days - about 12 weeks.

I hope this is helpful. EWH
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