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Window period
#8511 - 08/17/00 12:24 PM
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It seems to me that people in this forum are still not in agreement with the window period. Can someone from CDC say something?? Why the European Authority said or indicate 3 months is conclusive?? What do the doctor mean " it is rare to turn +ve after 3 months -ve result"?? Is the CDC the only one stand firm on 6 months?? Why?? After so many years of research, we still can't come in an agreement??
Some people enjoy a -ve test after 3 months but there are still freinds waiting for 6 months mark. I even read post that people get tested even almost 12 months to be sure.
We have so many doctors and wise people here. Can we make a conclusion so people here can use it as a line of reference?? Are we addicted to test?? I bet many people here like to hear about it. My doctor told me today straightly that 3-4 months is what I needed and ELISA for the screening test for HIV I and II. He did not indicate which generation of ELISA but we use the latest technology here in Singapore.
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GaryNPA
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Reged: 08/01/00
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We are dealing with a number of factors here:
1) Government agencies and national organizations MUST err on the side of being conservative because there are exceptionally rare cases where people have seroconverted for HIV outside the normal "expected" timeframes. For this, as well as needing to balance for the fact that many people are not honest or truly do not know when their last exposure occured, they lengthen the timeframe.
2) Some people are not able to be comfortable with a 99.5% ... they need to have the 99.8% assurance (which is the max you can ever get in this case). I choose to throw the .3% to the wind and say "I'm fine". Other's just cannot let go. There's nothing wrong with that, but it does tend to prolong unnecessary worry and anxiety.
3) Tests and testing methods have become more accurate since this dreaded virus became headline news back in the 80's. So, the window period has grown shorter to achieve the same level of accuracy.
And that's all I got to say about that.
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They keep the window period (CDC) to 6 months because of the rare cases of those health workers converting after 6 months. Those are rare exceptions. In today's age, a third generation test will show positive by 4-6 weeks. The old-timer first generation by 12 weeks. And those are both conservative estimates. As long as the test is done correctly and they don't mix up your results, it's conclusive....and the likelihood of those two things happening are nil.
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well, there is some saying that hep c is a concern that result in late conversion. what do you guy think?
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GaryNPA
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Reged: 08/01/00
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Posts: 274
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I got tested for HEP A,B,C at the same time as HIV. I tested negative for all hepatitis, so I guess that isnt a concern for me. I really cant speak to the risk, but if it were significant, I would think there would have been much much more literature published on it.
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