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p24 antigen test
#192175 - 05/18/06 06:57 PM
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is it true the p24 antigen test is only accurate 2-4 weeks after infection ?
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sunkyst
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Master
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Reged: 03/22/06
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Posts: 130
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Yes, it's usually only accurate before antibodies to HIV are produced. It's used by the Red Cross to screen blood from donors so that they can make sure that blood from someone who has HIV but hasn't produced antibodies yet, doesn't get into the blood supply. If you're beyond about 4 weeks, you might be better off getting a DNA PCR test which looks for the presence of the DNA of HIV itself rather than just the antibodies.
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If its before tha antibodies it should be before 4 weaks, because the antibodies start from 3 or 4 weaks, isn´t it
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SteveR
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Legend
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Reged: 07/19/05
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Posts: 576
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The P24 antigen test only detects the virus during the period of high viremia, which is shortly after infection and before the body battles the virus down to low levels. So yeah, that would be 2-4 weeks after infection, with the time varying from person to person. And even then, the test isn't uniformly accurate, so the P24 is not designed for routine testing and diagnosis by itself. It's a test that's run along with antibody tests and others, in an attempt to reduce or eliminate the window period.
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It is the formation of antibodies that causes the P24 to disapate. So you will either have the P24 or the antibodies in you system if you were actually infected. If you are taking the P24/ELISA combo test and are actually infected you will either test postive on the P24 part or the ELISA. This is why MA says a 6 week window is conclusive.
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Yes, although I think some people might have antibodies before 3 to 4 weeks, considering that the average time to produce antibodies is only 25 days.
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seems massachusetts should change it's policy if they use a p24 test along with a elisa because a p24 is no good after 4 weeks.
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I guess Anon U know more about hv, transmission, window periods, testing, etc than Mass General Hospital, BIDMC, Harvard Medical School, The Commomwealth of MA Board of Health and Brigham and Women's Hospital? U prob dont even have an idea of where these places are as U do not reside in MA
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Stresser
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Expert
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Reged: 03/29/06
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Posts: 117
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i agree with Virgo on this one.. MA would not put their population at risk like this if they were not sure of their testing. DUO testing seems to be the way to go.. NC is trying to implement it as well I believe.. At the end of the day U will test until U believe the results... That be 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 12 years
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