Hi all
I just wanted to let you know that there is a new HIV test for men being offered at our two Vancouver STI clinics.
The reason we are offering this test is because it is part of a 5 year study aimed at men who have sex with men. But for study purposes all men who come to our two clinics are being tested.
The new test being offered is a pooled RNA Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) for HIV. The standard HIV antibody test is also being done.
Transmission rates for HIV are highest during the first 60 days after being infected. During this time frame viral loads can be as much as 28 times higher. The advantage of the earlier NAAT test is that people can be informed when they are highly infectious. The hope is that this information will reduce the spread of HIV.
If infected with HIV 90% of people would test positive on a NAAT by 10 – 12 days after being infected. 95 - 98% of people would test positive on a NAAT 4 - 6 weeks after being infected.
You still need to wait 3 months to know for sure if you have HIV because it can take as long as 3 months for the standard antibody test to become positive.
STI Clinic
655 west 12th Ave, Vancouver.
You can book an appointment by calling 604-660-6161.
http://www.stiresource.com/clinics/index.php
Bute Street Clinic
1170 Bute Street
Vancouver, BC
Hours: Monday-Friday 11:00am – 6:30pm
Drop in only no appointment necessary.
HN
www.healthnurse.wordpress.com
www.stiresource.com
I just wanted to let you know that there is a new HIV test for men being offered at our two Vancouver STI clinics.
The reason we are offering this test is because it is part of a 5 year study aimed at men who have sex with men. But for study purposes all men who come to our two clinics are being tested.
The new test being offered is a pooled RNA Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) for HIV. The standard HIV antibody test is also being done.
Transmission rates for HIV are highest during the first 60 days after being infected. During this time frame viral loads can be as much as 28 times higher. The advantage of the earlier NAAT test is that people can be informed when they are highly infectious. The hope is that this information will reduce the spread of HIV.
If infected with HIV 90% of people would test positive on a NAAT by 10 – 12 days after being infected. 95 - 98% of people would test positive on a NAAT 4 - 6 weeks after being infected.
You still need to wait 3 months to know for sure if you have HIV because it can take as long as 3 months for the standard antibody test to become positive.
STI Clinic
655 west 12th Ave, Vancouver.
You can book an appointment by calling 604-660-6161.
http://www.stiresource.com/clinics/index.php
Bute Street Clinic
1170 Bute Street
Vancouver, BC
Hours: Monday-Friday 11:00am – 6:30pm
Drop in only no appointment necessary.
HN
www.healthnurse.wordpress.com
www.stiresource.com
