How Accurate Are ELISA And PCR DNA QUALITATIVE Test For Testing HIV Contraction Through Unprotected Oral Sex?

Posted on Tue, 13 Dec 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 13 Dec 2016 Answered on

Thu, 6 Jul 2023 Last reviewed on

Question : Sir, I had protected vaginal sex and unprotected receving oral sex for 5 min with home prostitute .after my sex exposure 35 day I was taken two test ELFA (hiv 1&2), and PCR DNA QUALITATIVE both results came negative and non deducted . Then after i ask to that prostitute women for taking test ,she is accepted to take test .the women test was taken in 45 day of my exposure ELISA and PCR DNA QUALITATIVE both women results are came negative and non deducted .still I am very scared so pls help me and both test are how much accuracy ?and if 3 month test is require or not

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
I would recommend a 4th generation HIV screening test.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

ELISA is an antibody based screening test and a 3 month retest is required for confirmation. I would rather suggest you to take a 4th generation HIV screening test which tests for both antibody as well as p 24 antigen and has a short window period of 2-4 weeks.

PCR is not a screening test tool. It is used to monitor response to treatment in HIV positive patients. Therefore you can either go for a 4th generation HIV screening test now or you can wait for an ELISA retest at 12 weeks.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Kakkar S.
Dermatologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (14 minutes later)

Sir most of hiv specalist Doctors suggest pcr dna test for early detection.in this test results are how much reliable and accurate with ur experience

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
PCR is not a recommended screening test.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Though PCR is as sensitive as a 4th generation HIV screening test and with the advantage of a short window period of 10-14 days. However it is not a recommended screening test.

Moreover PCR has low specificity with a 5% false positive rate. I don't rate PCR very high for screening purposes though it is useful to monitor response to treatment.

By the way a 4th generation screening test also has a comparable (to PCR) shorter window period of 2 weeks. It is highly sensitive as well as specific.

Hope I have answered your query.

Regards,
Dr. Kakkar S.
Dermatologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar