Advertisement

Which test is better for diagnosing HIV - ELISA or PCR?

Dr Bir Singh
Faculty Incharge,
Sex and Marriage Counselling Clinic
Co-ordinator, AIDS Education & Training Cell,
Professor of Community Medicine
AIIMS, New Delhi- 110029

Q: I am a 23 years old male. I have a few questions about HIV infection and its diagnosis. Please answer the same and clarify my doubts:

  • Which test is better for diagnosing HIV - ELISA or PCR?
  • What can be the maximum time for an individual to show HIV antibodies in ELISA Test?
  • What can be the longest window period?
  • I did ELISA test after 6 months, are there any chances of the test being false negative?

A:

  1. PCR is a better test
  2. The maximum time for an individual to show HIV antibodies in ELISA Test can be 12-14 weeks.
  3. The longest window period can be 03-04 months.
  4. No. The chance so the test being falsely negative are almost nil.