Another Test

[Mubanks]

Doctor,

Ive posted before, inspite of assurances from my doctor that I am ok, I have struggled to get beyond the trauma of all this.
So i bought another rapid test and it came up positive.

My doctor here lost his temper with me and it didnt reassure me.

Why would I test positive on a rapid test then negative on all confirmation tests with my doctor (including western blot)

And then a positive rapid test.

My doctor thinks i am crazy, he insists that the tests I did prove that I am fine.

Why is this happening to me?

Have you come across a case like this before?

All my doctor here said was that these things happen and he has seen it before.

He is a youngish doctor, I dont know where to turn.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Thanks for the follow-up.  Glad I could help. EWH

[Mubanks]

Doctor,

I went to a different health center and the results were as you said they would be.

Thank you again for your patience, I was soparanoid and was contemplating suicide.

I will believe the results now

[Mubanks]

Thank you, will try my best to put this behind me

[Edward W Hook, MD]

This will need to be the final comment in this thread.  

There is test to test variability in false positive tests. While all tests for HIV must meet FDA standards for performance, they do so using difference chemical targets for detection of infection.  As a result a person may have false positive reactions with one or more tests which use similar targets but not others.  You have had the bad luck to have a false positive test.  You now need to accept this and move forward with confidence that while you do not have HIV, you did have the bad luck to have a false positve test.  EWH

[Mubanks]

This was another rapid test by the way, plus the positive tests were on different occasions. One rapid test was purchased and administered by me and one at a small lab.

[Mubanks]

Ok Doctor here is the latest, I registered at another hospital and I told my story again. They tried to put me at rest and performed another test.

It was negative, my only issue is why I tested positive on two rapid tests.

I am fairly confident all is well, but this sticks in my mind.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

It sounds like your relationship with your doctor is not very good but I also suspect he is correct. As I have already told you, the eveidence that htis is afalse positive is very strong. EWH

[Mubanks]

I saw my doctor again, he told me offs, and sent me off with a nurse for a rapid test.

It was non reactive, he now insists that I move beyond all this.

I asked for a Western blot referral and he bluntly refused, he said if it will help I should come back in two three month intervals.

What do you think?

I need your insight.

Please find below Alina to my my previous posts

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You should request additonal testing to move forward from here.  If the prelimiary testing is again positve then there are a variety of possible follow-up tests which your doctor might choose to do. EWH

[Mubanks]

Thank you Doctor,

I will keep this brief, I had the tests done with my doctor.
They were fine. No further exposures.

So I should insist on another Elisa and if My doctor agrees a western blot?

I will only come back to you when it is done.

Thank you

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome back to the Forum. I'll be replying today.  I agre with your doctor. These things do happen and you are a victum of your own anxiety- something that I see on this forum regularly.  Presuming that there are have not been further exposures, I suspect your false positive test is just bad luck.  False positive tests with HIV tests are rare but the more someone tests, particularly when they are unlikely to have HIV, the more likely they are to have a false positive test.

At this time, you need to stop performing rapid tests and seek laboratory testing to prove to yourself that you do not have HIV.  EWH