I'm really worried because my father-in-law just tested positive for COVID-19. His report says "RESULTS Positive" but there's also something called "Bio Ref Interval" that shows as "Negative." Can you help me understand what that means? Is this related to a stage of COVID-19, or does it indicate something else?

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

Dr Chandra P

General Practitioner

MBBS
5+ Yrs

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The "Bio Ref Interval" being negative typically indicates that the test result falls outside the reference range for a negative result, confirming the presence of the virus. As for COVID-19, it doesn't have specific "stages," but the severity can vary from mild to severe, and it is categorized based on symptoms and clinical findings, such as mild, moderate, severe, and critical. It's important to monitor his symptoms and follow healthcare advice for appropriate management.

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Answered 04/07/2025

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I'm just curious about how reliable the HIV rapid test is at the six-month mark, like after 180 days. Can you share if it's considered conclusive by then?

No it's not confirmatory, it's screening test, confirmatory test would be ELISA.

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I've been really worried about the window period for HIV testing. I got tested after 140 days, and my result came back non-reactive. I'm wondering if that means Im definitely in the clear, or if there's a more accurate test I should consider for better peace of mind. Could you shed some light on the best test option for HIV detection?

The window period for HIV testing varies depending on the type of test used, ranging from 10 to 90 days. For a non-reactive result after 140 days, it's likely that the test has detected the absence of HIV antibodies and antigens, indicating a negative status. The best test for HIV detection is the 4th generation antibodyantigen test, which can detect 99% of samples within 45 days. However, if you're still concerned, consider a nucleic acid test (NAT), which can detect HIV within 10-33 days.

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I'm really worried and have a question I've been thinking about. After having intercourse, how long does it usually take before you might start to notice any symptoms of HIV? Would it be a matter of months?

depends on health status

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Disclaimer: Answers on Apollo 247 are not intended to replace your doctor advice. Always seek help of a professional doctor in case of an medical emergency or ailment.