Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Testing Confusion - False Positive?

I was getting tested after having two encounters with the same male - on the first encounter we kissed, mutually masturbated each other (he and I touching each other's and our penises), and I inserted my penis into his mouth for a few seconds. On the second encounter we kissed and mutually masturbated each other.

I am a 24-year-old male with no health problems nor have I ever had any health problems. I don’t use drugs nor have I ever used drugs. I’ve never had any STIs. The person I was with tested negative for HIV with an OraQuick Advance test upon my request, his last sexual encounter before me being at least 66 days before said test.

At 69 and 42 days respectively from both encounters I had a rapid, EIA test (with reflexes), and a full STI panel done - negative for everything.

At 99/72 days respectively I had a rapid test done - negative again.

I was getting anxious and was told about PCR tests by an HIV hotline - I didn’t know that they weren’t used for routine screening. So at 104/77 days respectively I requested to have an RNA PCR test done. Because I was getting tested at a walk-in urgent care center, the doctor didn’t review my medical history/go over my testing/ask me about the exposures, etc. - he just quickly signed off on it and left. It came back positive. An infectious disease doctor dismissed this as a false positive.

At 114/87 days respectively I had a rapid and an EIA test done (with reflexes) - negative for both.

At 121/94 days respectively I had a rapid and an EIA (with reflexes) test done - negative for both.

At 148/121 days respectively I had a rapid test done - negative again.

At 217/190 days respectively I had a rapid and an EIA test done (with reflexes) - negative for both.

I never had any ARS symptoms throughout my whole time of testing.

1. Does this appear to be a false positive?
2. Do you recommend continuing to test?
3. Do you recommend another type of test to take to see if I am negative?
7 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Final answer. Your anxiety is causing you to read things into my reply that are not there.  What part of "It is now time to accept that your ill-advised PCR test was falsely positive and move forward.  There is no reason for further testing." in my original answer was unclear.  You do not have HIV.  

EWH
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sorry, also does the PCR test concern you/cause doubt in your mind as on some queries you and Dr. Handsfield seem to be more definitive about some people being non-infected than others?

I am seeking your medical advice - if you really feel I should be tested further please let me know as I will definitely do so.
Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Yes, I mis-spoke, I meant false positive

Your repeateD questions are repetitive and while I understand that you are anxious, to think that repeating the questions will change the answer is not reasonable. Breif answers to your repetitive questions:
1. Would you suggest that I test to a year or more to be overly-cautious?/Have you ever heard of people needing to test to a year or more?
There is no medical or scientific reason for further testing, at 1 month, 1 year or beyond, related to your past exposures.

2. Does the lack of antibodies at 6 months and 10 days mean no infection occurred?
Yes.  

EWH
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sorry Dr. Hook but did you mean that my ill-advised test was falsely positive? Because you said "falsely negative"?

I suppose my final questions are:

1. Would you suggest that I test to a year or more to be overly-cautious?/Have you ever heard of people needing to test to a year or more?

2. Does the lack of antibodies at 6 months and 10 days mean no infection occurred?

I don't mean to over-post I'm just scared to let something like this go unmonitored as I am sure you understand its seriousness.
Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
1. Could I possibly be an elite controller?
No, they have positve tests.

2. Is there anything (including medications) that could cause the delay of antibodies beyond 6 months? I do not have an immunodeficiency disorder and am not on chemotherapy.
No

3. Is there any basis for testing out to a year or more?/Why do some doctors recommend this?
Those doctors are being overly cautious

4. I know that you said ‘almost certainly’ - what sort of test can I do to rule out .  
There are no other tests to be done.   My answer reflects scientific reality.  We VERY frequently get questions asking if different types of exposures or prevention measures are 100% effective or if we can be 100% sure someone is not infected.  The answer to that is that this is scientifically impossible.  For a variety of mathematical reasons far too complex to go into here, all one can do with well conducted scientific studies is estimate probabilities.  By definition, any estimate, cannot ever be 100% certain because of the incredibly low possibility that someone will get HIV through a previously undescribed mechanism tomorrow.  On the other hand, when Dr. Handsfield or I say that something is almost certain, virtually zero, very close to no risk, or of minimal risk, or use any other term to indicate a very small risk, that means "close to zero" in a world where zero cannot be attained.  You could be struck by a meteorite from space while reading this but I am almost certain that this will not happen.

I repeat, my advice is for you to accept that your ill-advised test was falsely negative, stay off the internet, and move forward from here.  EWH
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello Dr. Hook -

Thank you for response. I had a few more questions:

1. Could I possibly be an elite controller?

2. Is there anything (including medications) that could cause the delay of antibodies beyond 6 months? I do not have an immunodeficiency disorder and am not on chemotherapy.

3. Is there any basis for testing out to a year or more?/Why do some doctors recommend this?

4. I know that you said ‘almost certainly’ - what sort of test can I do to rule out any possibility for infection?
Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the Forum.  I'll try to help.  Your detailed history provides information that your HIV is almost certainly falsely positive.  False positve reactions are, unfortunately far more common with PCR tests than false positives are with the recommended tests.  Your experience of increased anxiety following the test is, similarly also common following a false positve reaction.  If you had been infected, your antibody tests would have been positive some time ago.  It is now time to accept that your ill-advised PCR test was falsely positive and move forward.  There is no reason for further testing.

I hope this comment is helpful.  EWH
Helpful - 0

You are reading content posted in the HIV - Prevention Forum

Popular Resources
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.