Follow-up

[Lola_T]

Hello again Dr.
I have a follow-up question that i didn't feel comfortable asking without re-paying, so i'm posting a new tread.
As you know from my previous question i live in Israel, married and wanted to test for hiv before getting pregnant. last week i did a rapid blood test that came back negative. since here in Israel, the health department did not officially approved the rapid test (although it is FDA approved), we have to take regular ELISA test as well. in the test center they say that the time window of the rapid blood test is 3 months and the time window of the ELISA is 2 months. they suppose to call me in a few days if the result between the tests will be different.
I was very calm after my rapid test, but then remembered that 10.5 weeks ago i got a tattoo in Thailand along with my husband and brother in law, i was the first client that day. it was with a new needle and disposable ink cups, but since i want a baby i can't seem to relax. so my questions are these:
1) has anyone ever got infected by a tattoo, from new or used needle?
2) if the result of the rapid test is negative and the elisa will some how turn out positive, what does that mean?
3) i heard the elisa test is very sensitive and can turn false positive. i had EBV virus a few years back, can it cause a false positive?
4) is it true that the rapid blood test isn't conclusive after 10.5 weeks?

I'm sorry if i sound like a mad woman, i just really want to be sure that my health is excellent before getting pregnant  

[Lola_T]

Hi Dr.
The clinic did not contact me this morning, so according to their instructions it means that the regular elisa test also came back negative and that i can relax!
Thank you again for your time and trouble, now i'm finally going to get pregnant with no worries at all :)  

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Glad I could help.  I hope that all of your plans for pregnancy proceed uneventfully. EWH

[Lola_T]

Thank you Dr.
Maybe i could have asked Dr.Handsfield on my last tread, but i don't mind the re-paying, you deserve it for your time and trouble.
I Know my fears are irrational, i guess you are right that many women fear for their health before getting pregnant without a form reason. I did in fact talk to the test center and they told me off the record that 10.5 weeks are more than enough for the rapid test and the regular elisa is just something they have to do cause that is the law here in Israel. most chances are that the result will be the same, and if not, it will be false poz.
In my field, Behavioral science, we use >95% security while analyzing results, i guess that in medicine you use higher percentage.  

Thank you again  

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome back to the Forum.  You really could have continued these questions with Dr. Handsfield.  As it happens, you got me for these questions.  Before I go to your new questions, let me tell you I agree with Dr. Handsfield that your concerns are far out of proportion to your risk. I do understand that in pregnancy or in preparing to become pregnant it is typical to have a heightened state of concern about "risks" that one would not otherwise be concerned about.  I think that it what is going on here.  Now on to your questions:

1.. There are reports that persons have gotten HIV when tattoos were done non-professionally.  Here in the U.S. because, of where most such tattoos are made, these are often referred to as "prison tattoos".  In contrast, it is virtually unheard of for persons to acquire HIV when tattoos are prepared professionally, using new, disposable needles and disposable ink cups of the sort you mention.  

2.  With all due respect this is the sort of "what if" question that we do not answer because to do so just feeds inappropriate fears.   The odds of getting a different result, given your background and the fact that your initial test was performed using an FDA approved test in a setting experienced in performing the test  are incredibly low.

3.  EBV infections are not associated with false positive HIV test results.

4.  There are several reports of rapid tests being somewhat less sensitive than ELISA tests but when larger, more careful studies and combined analyses have been performed, these statements have turned out to be incorrect. Despite the fact that they are proven to be equally sensitive, the rumors that rapid tests are less sensitive have persisted.  I urge you to not worry.

I do understand your desire to be totally healthy as you set out to become apparent but I do think your concerns are misplaced.  Please do your best not to worry further.  EWH