Testing for HIV.

Health Nurse

Supporting Member
Nov 24, 2004
894
4
0
I have had a few questions lately about what blood test we are using to test for HIV and how soon it will pick up a positive result.

In BC we are using the 3rd generation EIA tests. It detects the presence of antibodies to HIV. 95% of the population will have antibodies on this test in 4 – 6 weeks from an infection with HIV. The average window period for a 3rd generation EIA is 20-22 days and the maximum window period is 3 months.

Let me know if you have any questions about this.

HN
www.stiresource.com
 

lil'miss mischa

Stay gold, Ponyboy...
Sep 16, 2008
68
5
0
yaletown, vancouver b.c.
im a little curious...

hi nurse
i am a local indi sp...i routinely get tested every 3 months...if i go in for testing more frequently does this mean i still get a clear and accurate result?
i dont offer any bareback services...but i guess im a little ultra paranoid...
also, it was explained to me that when testing every 3 months the results are not telling me that i am negative now but that i was negative 3 months ago and could possibly have contracted hiv since and wouldnt know for another 3 months..? is that so or did i just misunderstand what was being told to me?

all this sounds a little naive im sure...but what other ways could you contract hiv/aids other then the obvious - unprotected sex, drug use & blood to blood contact..? could hiv be contracted through oral or minor skin abrassions such as a shaving nik or scratch? daty? oral?

i have heard that hep can be transmitted by finger nails...? true?

im sure its been asked and answered before...so im sorry to ask again..?

thanks for feedback, curious to know xo mischa xo
 

Health Nurse

Supporting Member
Nov 24, 2004
894
4
0
hi nurse
i am a local indi sp...i routinely get tested every 3 months...if i go in for testing more frequently does this mean i still get a clear and accurate result?
i dont offer any bareback services...but i guess im a little ultra paranoid...
also, it was explained to me that when testing every 3 months the results are not telling me that i am negative now but that i was negative 3 months ago and could possibly have contracted hiv since and wouldnt know for another 3 months..? is that so or did i just misunderstand what was being told to me?

all this sounds a little naive im sure...but what other ways could you contract hiv/aids other then the obvious - unprotected sex, drug use & blood to blood contact..? could hiv be contracted through oral or minor skin abrassions such as a shaving nik or scratch? daty? oral?

i have heard that hep can be transmitted by finger nails...? true?

im sure its been asked and answered before...so im sorry to ask again..?

thanks for feedback, curious to know xo mischa xo






Hi lil’miss mischa

Testing every 3 months would be fine.

You are correct with your explanation of the 3 month window period. It can take up to 3 months for the body to produce enough antibodies to show a positive HIV result. A negative HIV test result means you were 100% HIV negative 3 months ago.

The fluids that have enough HIV in them to pass on an infection are blood, semen (cum), vaginal fluid and breast milk. You need to get these infected fluids into your body.

I think that it is a good idea to cover up any broken skin (using a dressing) that may allow the HIV virus into the body, especially if infected fluid may come in contact with the skin. In relation to minor skin abrasions (shaving nik and scratches) I have not heard of a case of HIV passing this way. Minor wounds usually form a scab quickly and HIV dies very quickly when outside the body. These two things make it hard for HIV infections to pass when dealing with minor skin abrasions. Good ways that blood can pass on HIV are by having blood splashed in your eyes, sharing a used needle, needle stick injury.

From sex the highest risk for HIV infection is having unprotected rectal or vaginal sex.

In relation to oral sex I have not heard of someone getting HIV from receiving oral sex. There are a number of STI that can pass this way but HIV does not seem to be one of them.

For the person performing oral sex the risk appears to be very low but not zero. For both people sexually transmitted infections e.g. herpes, syphilis, would increase this risk. Also getting infected fluid in your mouth would increase the risk e.g. ejaculates (cums) in mouth.

Hepatitis B & C are present in the blood and can live much longer outside the body than HIV. If someone had blood on their finger nails and gave you a deep scratch I guess it would be possible to pass hepatitis. A few studies I have been able to find see this as a potential problem in mental institutions, but it does not seem to be a way that hepatitis spreads in the general population.

If you want me to expand on a topic or I missed something let me know.

For additional information:

HIV
www.thebody.com

Hepatitis
http://www.liver.ca/Liver_Disease/


HN
 
Ashley Madison
Vancouver Escorts