Talking about home testing for HIV

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AnxiousGirl22

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3 tests later and still anxious

I’ve posted on here a few weeks ago and I’m still having anxiety about having possible HIV symptoms. My possible exposure was over a month ago, I’ve tested at 4 weeks, 5 and a half weeks and 7 weeks. I’m still horrendously paranoid about any mark I see on my body being a rash or anytime my throat feels not right I’m scared it’s because my lymph nodes are swollen. How reliable are the tests after 7 weeks?

3 Responses

Becky Smith, BioSURE UK LTD
 Work on 14th April 2020

Hi Buddy, Third generation antibody tests usually have a window period of approximately 3 to 4 weeks but I would recommend that if you are planning to test or have tested using a 3rd generation test, to get in contact with the manufacture/supplier of the test to ask about their window period. Kindest regards, Becky BioSURE UK

Buddy
 Thinking on 12th April 2020

Is third generation test 80days after exposure conclusive?

Francesca Bard, BioSure (UK) Ltd
 Work on 01st October 2018

Hi AnxiousGirl22. I understand that this is an extremely stressful period for you however you have taken the correct step by getting tested. The reliability of the BioSURE HIV self test does not change. As with virtually all HIV rapid tests, the BioSure HIV self test looks for antibodies of HIV in the blood rather than the virus itself. If a person has produced these antibodies then the test will detect them, but because of how immune systems work, people produce these at different times and rates after being contracting the virus. Most people have made these antibodies by 4 weeks but some people can produce them as late as 12 weeks later. This is why we say a negative result cannot be relied upon within this period and it is recommended to test again at 3 months after exposure. If you feel at all uncomfortable as your exposure is within the last 3 months then we would recommend you visit a clinic that can offer you a laboratory based test. I hope this helps but please do not hesitate to contact me further. Kindest regards Francesca Bard, BioSure UK (Ltd)

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