HIV window period

shak

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Apr 4, 2004
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Everytime when I get my regular STD test at any of the STD clinic in 604, the nurse would explain to me what "window period" is all about and that 99% of the time the seroconversion will take place within 12 weeks...and so forth.

I am wondering where I can find a chart that shows accurate info on the distribution of % of seroconversion versus time?

ie how many % of ppl will seroconvert within 6 week time?
 

cancowboy2001

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Jul 27, 2003
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Around 75%

Not an exact answer for you but ...
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/haest-tesvs/s_e.html#SEROCONVERSION

In HIV/AIDS research, the seroconversion period refers to the period of time it usually takes to develop detectable antibodies to HIV following infection with HIV. In 75% of persons, antibodies are produced in 4 to 8 weeks; in almost all persons, antibodies are produced within 14 weeks.

The seroconversion period is frequently described as the “window period”. It is very significant in relation to the timing of HIV tests. Persons who are tested during the window period may receive a negative HIV test result although they may be infected with HIV. Persons disclosing HIV-related risk factors in the 14 weeks before testing negative for HIV are encouraged to be retested at the end of the window period.
 

Bumfie

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Apr 18, 2005
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AIDS educators in the U.S. (I am a volunteer educator) maintain that while the window period is officially 13 weeks, a negative ELISA test at six weeks is an excellent indicator that you are fine.

The only people who take longer than 13 weeks to seroconvert (in other words, produce antibodies to the virus, which is what an ELISA HIV test looks for) are people with severely compromised immune systems, such as those with Hep C, or those receiving chemotherapy, etc.

If you look at the Web, you'll find things that say the window is six months. That's severely outdated. Modern tests have sharply reduced the window period.

That being said, your odds of being infected through sex with a sex worker while wearing a latex condom are basically nil. Even if the condom ruptures, it protects you during the time it is intact. HIV cannot penetrate skin; thus, the only real risk during condom failure is through the urethra, which is pretty hard to accomplish. During heterosexual intercourse, the risk to the woman is far greater than the risk to the man.

So, basically, I'm agreeing with cancowboy. And I will respectfully disagree with HN about the risk of receiving oral. The American CDC does not have a single confirmed case of a person being infected through receiving fellatio (but there is a risk to the woman, especially if she swallows.)

Hope this helps.

bumfie
 

logsplitter

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Dec 6, 2004
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Manitoba
Bumfie said:
AIDS educators
So, basically, I'm agreeing with cancowboy. And I will respectfully disagree with HN about the risk of receiving oral. The American CDC does not have a single confirmed case of a person being infected through receiving fellatio (but there is a risk to the woman, especially if she swallows.)

Hope this helps.

bumfie
Or if she has receding gums(bleeding) which is rather common among SW!
 

Health Nurse

Supporting Member
Nov 24, 2004
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shak said:
Everytime when I get my regular STD test at any of the STD clinic in 604, the nurse would explain to me what "window period" is all about and that 99% of the time the seroconversion will take place within 12 weeks...and so forth.

I am wondering where I can find a chart that shows accurate info on the distribution of % of seroconversion versus time?

ie how many % of ppl will seroconvert within 6 week time?
Hi Shak

Sorry about the late reply. I have been doing some research on the topic and have not been able to find any charts that show this.

I have contacted our HIV laboratory at BCCDC and they will get back to me next week about their current ELISA test and the information you requested.


HN
www.stdresource.com
 

Gentleman

New member
Nov 5, 2005
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HIV through the urethra

Hi Bumfie,

you made a comment that even if a condom breaks, the real risk for HIV transmission is through the urethra and that it would be rather hard to accomplish. Can you please elaborate as to why that would be so. I thought that the HIV virus can go through the mucous membrane which would be the inside skin of the penis where urine passes. Thanks in advance for your feedback comment.
 

Health Nurse

Supporting Member
Nov 24, 2004
894
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shak said:
Everytime when I get my regular STD test at any of the STD clinic in 604, the nurse would explain to me what "window period" is all about and that 99% of the time the seroconversion will take place within 12 weeks...and so forth.

I am wondering where I can find a chart that shows accurate info on the distribution of % of seroconversion versus time?

ie how many % of ppl will seroconvert within 6 week time?

Hi Shak

The lab got back to me and stated that they do not have any charts like this, but that the average time for someone to seroconvert for HIV is 4-6 weeks.

We also state that the usual time that an infected person will show positive on the test is 3 months (I have seen the figures of 97%-99% used).

We also state that the maximum period of time that an infected person will show positive on the test is 6 months (I have seen figures of 99%-99.9% used).

It is not possible to come up with really accurate figures as that would have to involve knowing exactly when someone was infected and then taking blood at regular intervals.

Please feel free to comment or ask us to expand on a topic. Remember if you would like to ask me a personal question just send me a PM.

HN
www.stdresource.com
 
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