Aa
Positive elisa..
I went for a std/hiv check up about 2 weeks ago. The results of the elisa came back "repeatedly reactive". They did a follow up western blot, which came back negative.
Now, the lab has sent off my blood to another lab to test using what is called an immunoblot. the dr explained that the western blot looks just for hiv 1. and that the immunoblot looks specifically for hiv 2.
I'm so scared.
My last exposure was unprotected sex about a year ago. Since that exposure, I had a few rapid tests done. 2 were the unigold rapid test, but they only check for hiv 1. The other one was the oraquick advance. Those 3 were beyond the window period and were non reactive.
I do not know what prompted me to get tested again. I almost wish I hadnt.
What are my chances of being infected with HIV 2? Would the western blot have came back intermediate if HIV 2 was present? like, does the western blot check for certain proteins that both HIV 1 and 2 have?
Please help me.
I am almost thinking about calling the dr office and asking them to not run the immunoblot. Can I even do that?
thank you
Now, the lab has sent off my blood to another lab to test using what is called an immunoblot. the dr explained that the western blot looks just for hiv 1. and that the immunoblot looks specifically for hiv 2.
I'm so scared.
My last exposure was unprotected sex about a year ago. Since that exposure, I had a few rapid tests done. 2 were the unigold rapid test, but they only check for hiv 1. The other one was the oraquick advance. Those 3 were beyond the window period and were non reactive.
I do not know what prompted me to get tested again. I almost wish I hadnt.
What are my chances of being infected with HIV 2? Would the western blot have came back intermediate if HIV 2 was present? like, does the western blot check for certain proteins that both HIV 1 and 2 have?
Please help me.
I am almost thinking about calling the dr office and asking them to not run the immunoblot. Can I even do that?
thank you
Thank you for the quick response, Teak. I will not be one of those who repeatedly asks questions, but if you dont mind, can you answer a few of the ones i asked and then i wont post again.
Would the western blot be intermediate if HIV 2 was present?
whats the difference between how a western blot and immunoblot work? I have read the ins and outs of this forum and no one was ordered to have an immunoblot. The dr told me its the "newest technology" and "rather be safe than sorry". She actually didn't order the test, quest lab just sent it off on their own.
Should I have a little bit of hope since the oraquick advance came back non reactive and it tests for hiv 1 and 2
thank you again
Would the western blot be intermediate if HIV 2 was present?
whats the difference between how a western blot and immunoblot work? I have read the ins and outs of this forum and no one was ordered to have an immunoblot. The dr told me its the "newest technology" and "rather be safe than sorry". She actually didn't order the test, quest lab just sent it off on their own.
Should I have a little bit of hope since the oraquick advance came back non reactive and it tests for hiv 1 and 2
thank you again
Western blot would show up bands on HIV2. It wouldn't be negative. You do not have HIV.
What do you mean "Western blot would show up bands on HIV2".
You mean it would be intermediate if i was infected with hiv 2?
Is there more than 1 kind of western blot? for instance, one that checks for both hiv 1 and 2 and another that checks just for hiv 1?
You mean it would be intermediate if i was infected with hiv 2?
Is there more than 1 kind of western blot? for instance, one that checks for both hiv 1 and 2 and another that checks just for hiv 1?
HIV 2 can be picked up by an HIV 1 Western Blot is just can't distinguish between the two.
Okay thank you teak.
You've given me the slightest bit of hope to hold on to until my test results come in for the immunoblot, which wont be until end of next week.
Thanks again
You've given me the slightest bit of hope to hold on to until my test results come in for the immunoblot, which wont be until end of next week.
Thanks again
I'm going crazy waiting for these results! Any other advice or input on my situation? I cannot get this off my mind even for 10 minutes.
Is it more probable that I had a false negative rapid or a false positive lab based ELISA? I always thought the lab based tests were more accurate? Is the rapid oraquick just as able to detect HIV 2 antibodies as the lab based one? Still waiting for HIV 2 western blot results. Also, wanted to know if when the lab based antibody 1/2 test is reactive, do they do a HIV 2 antibody test alone before doing a HIV 2 WB or do they go straight to WB like they do for HIV 1?
Teak, thank you for replying to my questions. It means a lot. Could you please answer my other questions as well. I could really use the help right now.
In terms of the differeences between the two tests ( rapid and lab). You answered in terms of WB for HIV 1. This will be my last post, please. If you don't want to, I'll take any other experts advice. Please.
Are these answers really helping you? You've been posting on two forums and it seems like the questioning is circular.
It might be better to take a break from forums while you wait and seek treatment for your anxiety.
It might be better to take a break from forums while you wait and seek treatment for your anxiety.
How can I not be anxious after that kind of news. This is one I the HARDEST times in my life
I know. But when someone is as anxious as you are forums don't always help, and much of the time they make it worse.
We keep telling you that you don't have HIV but your anxiety is making you resistant to our advice. That was just my point.
The internet seems like a logical place to turn to in these situations but much of time it just fuels more fear. Answers to anxiety-driven questions just generate more questions, etc.
We keep telling you that you don't have HIV but your anxiety is making you resistant to our advice. That was just my point.
The internet seems like a logical place to turn to in these situations but much of time it just fuels more fear. Answers to anxiety-driven questions just generate more questions, etc.
You're correct, joggen. I've been researching the Internet non stop. On my laptop, phone, anywhere I can get Internet. I'll try to stop for the next couple of days, until I get my results. Oh and yes, oraquick does look for both. I made myself believe that it probably wasn't as "sensitive" to HIV 2 antibodies because it is "less common" and that the lab based one probably was "more sensitive" at detecting them..
Wanted to share the results of my HIV 2 immunoblot-negative! What a relief. Thank you all for the reassurance and advice. I can breathe again.
Nobody here is surprised but I'm glad that you received the results so that you can put this behind you. Sorry you had to go through that. I can't fathom why that test would be even necessary in the first place but no use discussing further at this point.
I'm back with the HIV scare :(
I don't understand how this can creep back on to me..
Is retesting a good idea in my case or is it a waste of time? I thought I was over this :(
I don't understand how this can creep back on to me..
Is retesting a good idea in my case or is it a waste of time? I thought I was over this :(
I had let it go and then started thinking "wow, I really got a positive result" I kept saying that to myself, thinking how could that be and what if the WB was incorrect? Even with the negative rapids and WB, it's hard to wrap my mind around it
i understand, but i guess it's harder once you've been hit by a positive test.
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