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HIV Test - False Positive?
On 5/9/11 I went and had a standard STD test done. On the spot I was diagnosed with HPV and a few days later I was told that I had Chlamydia. My blood test came back today and I was told that for the first HIV antibody test it came back positive. They ran it again and it came back negative. They sent my blood to the state level and the test came back negative. The lady informed me that their clinic had two people who had the same exact results, only to be found HIV negative when a viral load was done. I just gave blood today for my viral load and won't know the results for 1-2 weeks. Do you think I have a significant chance of having HIV? Is this common?
Few facts:
-- I tested negative for HIV in Jan 2010.
-- Have slept with fewer than 6 women having unprotected sex
-- Straight male
-- My girlfriend, which I've been having unprotected sex with for the last 4-5 months, just had her HIV test come back negative today
Few facts:
-- I tested negative for HIV in Jan 2010.
-- Have slept with fewer than 6 women having unprotected sex
-- Straight male
-- My girlfriend, which I've been having unprotected sex with for the last 4-5 months, just had her HIV test come back negative today
My viral load test came back negative. WHEW!
Thanks for the reassurance. I'll make sure to post my results either way when I get wind of them. *Fingers crossed*
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The reasons for false positive results are unknown. It probably is related to the test reagents, chemistry, etc -- not to anything wrong in the person tested. Yes, the viral load test is "virtually unnecessary".
What would cause the first antibody test to come out positive and the following two to come out negative? Seems odd that there were two people within the same month that had the same outcome, no?
You mention that false positives are "not common", but also suggest that I not worry...? Is that because the following two tests turned up negative?
Do you think the viral load test is done just as an extra precaution to make 100% certain? From what you say, it seems to be virtually unnecessary.
Many thanks...
You mention that false positives are "not common", but also suggest that I not worry...? Is that because the following two tests turned up negative?
Do you think the viral load test is done just as an extra precaution to make 100% certain? From what you say, it seems to be virtually unnecessary.
Many thanks...
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum.
False positive HIV blood tests are not common, but they occur from tiem to time. This is more frequent with the rapid HIV tests -- the ones with results in 20 minutes. The emphasis on the false positive results in on "false": when follow-up testing is done and negative, it is 100% reliable. Frankly, I would have thought a test for HIV DNA in the blood -- your viral load test -- would not be necessary. However, you can definitely expect it to be negative. So stay mellow while you await the result. It is exceedingly unlikely you are infected.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
False positive HIV blood tests are not common, but they occur from tiem to time. This is more frequent with the rapid HIV tests -- the ones with results in 20 minutes. The emphasis on the false positive results in on "false": when follow-up testing is done and negative, it is 100% reliable. Frankly, I would have thought a test for HIV DNA in the blood -- your viral load test -- would not be necessary. However, you can definitely expect it to be negative. So stay mellow while you await the result. It is exceedingly unlikely you are infected.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
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