What is the current HIV-testing regime?
Right now we do three different tests, and the combination is extraordinarily powerful. We used to use the term “the window period,” which refers to the time or delay that follows infection with HIV before antibodies to the virus became detectable. That window period in the old days was as much as six months because the test for antibodies was not very sensitive. That test is greatly improved, and we can now detect antibodies within a month or two. But beyond that, we are using a protein test, which closes that window period further, and most recently we’re using a test for nucleic acid, which basically is a test for the virus itself. That test is capable of identifying one or a very few copies of the virus in the blood and is likely to be able to detect it within hours. The only risk potential here is now human error in performing the test. If the FDA makes this change, do you think they’re likely to face opposition, given the emotional nature of the issue and the concerns people have
