How Accurate Is Third Generation HIV Test?

Posted on Sun, 26 Jan 2014

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

Sun, 26 Jan 2014 Answered on

Tue, 11 Feb 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : How accurate would a 3rd generation hiv test be 25 days after havin unprotected sex??

Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Accuracy is 95% by 4 wks,needs repeated by 12wks Detailed Answer: Hello Welcome to Health care magic The third generation HIV tests test for the antibodies against the HIV virus. The antibodies appear after a window period of 4 weeks to 3 months with more than 95% of the times antibodies appearing by 4 to 6 weeks. The test is very accurate and has got a accuracy of more than 99%. But the test requires to be repeated again at 12 weeks or 3 months. Hence thought the test appears to be very accurate by 4 weeks, it requires to be repeated for confirmation again at 12 weeks. Hope I have answered your query and the information is helpful to you. Thank you

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