Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.You've posted on the newer generation ELISA tests that are able to detect within 6 weeks generally. I was wondering if this applies to the rapid test (pinprick) that's being offered now as well? Is that a version of the newer generation ELISA test?
Mark H. Katz, M.D.
Regional HIV/AIDS Physician Coordinator
Kaiser Permanente of Southern California
The rapid HIV antibody tests generally will pick up new HIV infection within several weeks, and within 6 weeks in more than 95% of cases. However, just to account for that additional few percent more, it might be good to also test out at 3 months. Remember, too, that since the rapid test is just the "first step," i.e. an ELISA, a positive test also necessitates a confirmatory Western blot (just as it does for the other "older" tests). And for this test there is no rapid version.
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