Expert: Terry B - 2/19/2008

Question
hi,

i am a bit confused about the window period.
I am in a rather low risk situation (i guess), received oral with condom, however my hand had a cut and it contacted with some of the girl's saliva( i know it is not transmitted via saliva, considering just the case of bleeding gums).This happened 7 weeks ago.Can i take a conclusive elisa test now?

I have heard about 6 months window period(which obviously includes ALL the situations), i have heard about the 12 weeks as the standard one, but i have also heard that an elisa can be conclusive after 6 weeks .

Please help, can i take an elisa after 7 weeks and consider it conclusive?

Answer
Dear Dim:

Peace.  It sounds as though you well informed; your risk is indeed extremely low.  You are also well informed on recommendations you read on what constitutes "conclusive" - there are a small number of statistical rarities who do not convert within six weeks, and it has less to do with their specific degree of risk than it does with their immune system and idiosyncrasies.  "Conclusive" is really a reflection of the best possible statistical probability.  For that you need wait six months.  "Highly probable" is a better description of reliability after six weeks.  I know that might not help much, but I cannot change the facts.

Simply, a negative ELISA at this point - coupled with your extremely low risk - makes it highly probable that you are not infected.

Best to you and yours,

Terry