Hiv testing accuracy?

I've had three antibody negative test results between 3 and 6months from exposure. I've had flu like symptoms on and off for 3months as well so that is why i continued testing. At one point when i felt very ill (swollen glands,sore throat, headaches,etc.)(3months post exposure) I took the dna pcr qualitative test and that came back negative. My question to those with knowledge or experience with this is as follows: A. With traditional clinical symptoms shouldnt one of my Antibody tests be positive if I was infected by HIV? B. With the DNA PCR test(post 3months exposure) and having symptoms of a viral illness shouldn't this test pic up the viral activity if the illness is HIV caused? Just trying to rule out this disease and thanks for the feedback!

A. Yes, however, there are different strains of HIV. The antibody tests may only identify antibodies for the strains commonly found in the US.
B. Viral Load tests do identify increased viral activity. If a person is known HIV positive and has regular viral load tests, sometimes it will count increased amount of virus if that person has a cold or flu.

So, if you've had a known exposure to HIV and have been or are symptomatic, you should schedule an appointment with an HIV specialist as soon as possible.

If you've been tested for HIV antibodies using the Western Blot and confirmatory Elisa and have had no new risk factors, (unprotected sex or sex with a known HIV positive partner, or sharing drug injection equipment, exposure per a healthcare setting) the testing is likely accurate. Eliminate all risk factors, seek medical attention and test again in 3 months or follow your medical provider's advice.

If you have continued at-risk behaviors, you should stop and be tested again in 3 months.

And check with your doc, mono might be a possibility.

thats definitely the herps

At 6 months post exposure, the tests should be accurate, especially with the PCR at 3 months.

It's winter, you had the flu. I understand being concerned, but how many times in your life have you gone six months without getting sick?

I would be confident, if I was you, that my status was negative.

hiv testing is almost 99% accurate but with any disease testing there is a margin of error so you should talk to a doctor and start having safe sex planed parent hood does hiv testing for free and can answer questions.

If your body was showing signs of sickness, that means your immune system will be picking up the virus and building anit-bodys to try to protect itself, with you being sick and it already being post 3months, your negative result is conclusive. It is very rare that it would take longer than that and your PCR test will look for the virus itself, which it did not find, your do not have HIV. I know it scary but u did the right thing by getting tested. Make this a learning issue and always use protection.

u tested at three months. Your negative result is conclusive. No need for further testing at all. Enjoy ur result and stay safe.