Can I take the quick test?

June 25, 2010 7:32 AM

I have HIV antibodies due to participation in a vaccine trial, will one of the fast RNA tests work on me?

About 8 years ago, I participated in clinical trials of an HIV vaccine pre cursor. It was not intended to provide any actual protection against infection, but was to see if an avian flu could be genetically modified to express some of the surface proteins of HIV, and if the body would react to them.

The process was a success, and in the past, whenever I have gotten tested, they always have to send my blood out for a second screening where they looked for actual virus, instead of antibodies.

Now, I see ads in the local gay paper about some new near-instant RNA based testing, and wonder if it would work on me.

posted by No1UKnow to Health & Fitness (3 answers total)

Best answer: Yes, a test that measures presence of HIV RNA should not be affected by your anti–HIV-protein antibodies.
posted by grouse at 7:49 AM on June 25, 2010

As a person actively involved in HIV vaccine research, just coming on to second grouse. An HIV RNA test will not be affected by HIV antibodies. It will only pick up virus.
posted by Sophie1 at 10:36 AM on June 25, 2010

The new test just approved by the FDA screens for both HIV antibodies and HIV RNA, so, as I understand it, you will still get a preliminary positive. The change is that folks who would have been missed because of the "window period" between infection and anti-body development will now be detected sooner.
posted by hworth at 8:30 AM on June 26, 2010