Aa
Pregnant - indeterminate HIV test
I'm about 9 weeks pregnant and my doctor called me today to tell me that my HIV test result is neither positive nor negative, but indeterminate (I believe this is the result of a Western Blot). I am concerned, to say the least!
I have been with only my husband for about 5 years. Prior to that I had some unprotected encounters. 3 of those encounters were vaginal sex without ejaculation with white, non-IV drug using heterosexual men (these were 6-8 years ago). The other encounters consisted of vaginal sex (with ejaculation) about 4 times with a low-risk individual who flat-out told me he had been tested and was negative (this was about 5-6 years ago).
When I received my indeterminate results today, I was told that there were only a few reasons this could happen:
1. Lab error.
2. Very recent HIV infection, where there hasn't been enough time to form all the antibodies necessary to test positive yet.
3. Sometimes antibodies in pregnant women give an indeterminate result. She is almost certain this is the case with me.
The HIV counselor said that if I had been infected for several years I would definitely have a POSITIVE result, not indeterminate. Also, my recent CBC looks great and shows no red flags, and she said if I was seroconverting I would have CBC abnormalities and probably physical symptoms. My husband and I have been monogamous
My question is: Do you agree? If I am not positive, and I am not seroconverting, then surely I must be negative, correct? My sample has been sent to a state lab for further testing and I must wait 2 weeks for the results. In the meantime, I could really use some reassurance!
I have been with only my husband for about 5 years. Prior to that I had some unprotected encounters. 3 of those encounters were vaginal sex without ejaculation with white, non-IV drug using heterosexual men (these were 6-8 years ago). The other encounters consisted of vaginal sex (with ejaculation) about 4 times with a low-risk individual who flat-out told me he had been tested and was negative (this was about 5-6 years ago).
When I received my indeterminate results today, I was told that there were only a few reasons this could happen:
1. Lab error.
2. Very recent HIV infection, where there hasn't been enough time to form all the antibodies necessary to test positive yet.
3. Sometimes antibodies in pregnant women give an indeterminate result. She is almost certain this is the case with me.
The HIV counselor said that if I had been infected for several years I would definitely have a POSITIVE result, not indeterminate. Also, my recent CBC looks great and shows no red flags, and she said if I was seroconverting I would have CBC abnormalities and probably physical symptoms. My husband and I have been monogamous
My question is: Do you agree? If I am not positive, and I am not seroconverting, then surely I must be negative, correct? My sample has been sent to a state lab for further testing and I must wait 2 weeks for the results. In the meantime, I could really use some reassurance!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
No. There are no medications, illnesses, immunizations, or anything else that have any effect on HIV testing.
Doctor, I have one final question, and that will conclude this thread: I had a TDAP vaccination right before having my blood drawn for the HIV test. Could the antibodies in the TDAP have caused my reactive/indeterminate tests?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Yes, for sure.
Thank you for your prompt reply, doctor. This does help ease my fears. May I ask you to confirm one more thing? If I had, indeed, been infected with HIV for all these years, would the tests (ELISA, Western Blot) have definitely given a true positive?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry for your dilemma and stress. But almost certainly all is well; you don't have HIV.
The large majority of indeterminate HIV tests turn out to be negative. You correctly understand some of the causes of indeterminate results. However, the most common of all isn't mentioned: in most cases, it is simply unexplained, unrelated to pregnancy. Given your sexual history, the chance this is a new infection is zero for practical purposes. Lab error also is rare. So that leaves a simple unexplained result, whether due to pregnancy or not.
I wouldn't think it should take 2 weeks to sort this out. One option is to have a PCR test for HIV DNA or RNA. If negative, it would mean you almost certainly don't have HIV. Or ask for referral to an infectious disease specialst or someone else with extensive experience in HIV diagnosis; they have other suggestions to get a clear answer without a two week wait.
In any case, try to relax pending further testing. Almost certainly you don't have HIV.
I hope this has helped. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
The large majority of indeterminate HIV tests turn out to be negative. You correctly understand some of the causes of indeterminate results. However, the most common of all isn't mentioned: in most cases, it is simply unexplained, unrelated to pregnancy. Given your sexual history, the chance this is a new infection is zero for practical purposes. Lab error also is rare. So that leaves a simple unexplained result, whether due to pregnancy or not.
I wouldn't think it should take 2 weeks to sort this out. One option is to have a PCR test for HIV DNA or RNA. If negative, it would mean you almost certainly don't have HIV. Or ask for referral to an infectious disease specialst or someone else with extensive experience in HIV diagnosis; they have other suggestions to get a clear answer without a two week wait.
In any case, try to relax pending further testing. Almost certainly you don't have HIV.
I hope this has helped. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the HIV - Prevention Forum
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.
