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PCR reliablity?
#20274 - 08/02/01 11:35 PM
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Home > Forum on Safe Sex and HIV Prevention > Answers to Current SafeSex Questions > Question:
very scared
Posted: Jul 31, 2001
Ryan, I put myself at risk to HIV a while back about 6 months. At the tenth week I developed thrush I immediately went out and got an hiv test done and it was negative I also got a RNA at 12 weeks and another antibody at 13 weeks. The test all came back negative or undectable. Now I am at a cross road with myself. My doctor said I was fine, but I feel he is wrong. I have saved up a good chunk of change for the DNA test. I am so tense I cannot even sleep anymore. Did I do enough testing or should I go for broke with the DNA test. Please respond..
Having PCR tests--tests that detect the presence of virus as opposed to antibodies--performed at this point is probably a waste of money and time. Performing an antibody test at least 3-6 months following exposure (which you did) is much more meaningful than PCR tests performed randomly.
PCR tests are not reliable in determining a person's HIV status. There is a higher rate of false positives and false negatives when compared to the highly reliable antibody tests.
Please see my response to "Accuracy and timing of PCR tests" (http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Archive/Testing/Q12489.qna) for more info.
RMK
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I think they're pretty reliable - just not validated across the board. Yet.
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I completely disagree ..... Ryan is a good man, but not a doctor.
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Concur. Read Dr. Holodniy's comments on PCR testing, especially the posts from 07/29 (You're Really Scaring Me, and Help to Answer.) They should help.
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