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Took ECLIA Test. What Does The Commentary Mean?
Hi I had what I consider a risk situation . I took an ECLIA test 20 days from risk and turned out to be negative I have two questions First my test result had the following commentary : this test performs the qualitative determination of HIV 1 s AG P24 and antibodies , including those from O group and against HIV 2. Is this a 4th generation test?? Second if this is a 4th gen test , and given I am now 6 weeks in from the risk situation (no symptoms by the way other than some sneezes and cough , no fever , no swollen lymphatic nodes , no diarrhea , no problem with urination ) how encouraging is this result? my physician advised me to do a retest (which I totally intend to do ) but I want to know if I can do it before the 3 months window to get a definite result
Wed, 28 Aug 2013
Hello and welcome to HCM,
ELISA is a screening test for HIV 1 & 2.
It detects HIV 1 antigen in serum by antigen-antibody reaction.
This test detects the p24 antigen of the HIV virus.
However, this test can come out to be negative if the patient is in window period.
Window period is the time when the test is false negative.
A period of atleast 3 months should elapse before a repeat test is done.
If the ELISA test comes to be positive after 3 months, RPR test is done.
RPR test is confirmatory test for HIV infection.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
ELISA is a screening test for HIV 1 & 2.
It detects HIV 1 antigen in serum by antigen-antibody reaction.
This test detects the p24 antigen of the HIV virus.
However, this test can come out to be negative if the patient is in window period.
Window period is the time when the test is false negative.
A period of atleast 3 months should elapse before a repeat test is done.
If the ELISA test comes to be positive after 3 months, RPR test is done.
RPR test is confirmatory test for HIV infection.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
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