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How quick are the the capilus & determine tests for HIV testing?

Dr LM Nath
Consultant, Community Medicine,
New Delhi

Q: I had taken an HIV test - Capilus test and Determine test, and the result was negative. My doubt is that when they conducted the tests, the results were given in just 5 minutes. To the best of my knowledge, the results can be given after 2 or 3 hours. So I asked them but was told that it takes only a few minutes to reveal the report. Sir, shall I believe the test results? I want to know how long it takes to do the test and get the results?

A:The capilus test has a runtime of 7 minutes and even if you allow only oneminute for getting the test together, the response can not be in less than 8minutes. The determine test requires 15 minutes according to the companymarketing it. If you really mean that you got both the results in 5 minutes,perhaps you may like to get another lab involved. If 5 minutes was a figureof speech - you must make your own judgement.