Positive test result, then negative

[ParanoidaboutHiv]

Hi, I went to the sexual health clinic today and got tested for HIV (routine). the counselor told me there was a delay in the lab and that he was going to test me right in his office. he tested me with the oraquick test while i was waiting on the unigold rapid test results. the oraquick came back negative. the unigold came back reactive (turns out they were re-testing my blood). I went to another clinic for another test, this one they pricked my finger. The guy at the second clinic tested me twice. both tests came back negative. I am really anxious now as i'm waiting on Western Blot results from that reactive test. My counselor at the first clinic told me that he thinks this is a false positive and that i shouldnt worry. I cant stop worrying. Is anyone familiar with false positives ? anyone had one before? any advice? should i go to a different clinic and get tested again?

[JeanClaude]

It's my opinion that you had a False Positive. You would NOT have had repeated NEGATIVES subsequently if you were actually POSITIVE. This does happen occasionally for various reasons. You do NOT need to test again as your WESTERN BLOT is pending. The result from this test will trump any other results.

-JC-

[ParanoidaboutHiv]

thank you for your encouraging words JeanClaude. they do help. even if i were recently infected, and the unigold was picking up antibodies, do you think that the oraquick and the other two at the second clinic would pick those antibodies up too? I got clear negatives on all subsequent tests. the original was a faint 'reactive'. i guess i'll only feel comfortable after a month or so, after no sexual activity, with a negative result.

[JeanClaude]

Both of the tests subsequent to the "Faint Positive" were Serum-Based (blood) rapid tests. Yes, they would have ben POSITVE as well if indeed you were infected.

-JC-

[ParanoidaboutHiv]

thanks again JC. i guess my only worry now is that that 'faint positive' was true and the other ones just werent picking up the antibodies yet. but, you say that they'd also show positive if i indeed were, huh? i think i need to talk to some people online and give and get some moral support. this will be a long week waiting on my western blot results. and if that test in indeterminate, it'll be more anxiety.

[JeanClaude]

There is infinitely more chance that you's have a single False Positive  than repeated False Negatives. Have you had a risk in the last 3 months? if not a False Negative is of NO concern.

-JC-

[ParanoidaboutHiv]

I am a homosexual male, and i am in a high risk group, though i do not practice high risk 'activities' as 'high risk' is understood to be. i think i may choose not to call back for that western blot result. that clinic gave me two conflicting results. why should i trust them again? there's a chance they may have made some error. i think i'll wait a few weeks and get tested somewhere else. i'm abstaining from sexual activity, and i think that the result from a test in a few more weeks will be much more reliable than the crap i got at that place.

[JeanClaude]

I don't believe anyone gave you conflicting results. Occasionally a test may appear "Reactive" when it is NOT. This is why a seemingly "reactive" test needs to be CONFIRMED, a NON-REACTIVE test does NOT ( outside of the window period). Occasionally, a rapid test is misread as "faint" positive when in fact it is NOT. I strongly advise you to return for your Western Blot Results as that would be Definitive. That test is a Lab Test ( Not Rapid) and would NOT be subject to the samy misinterpretations as your Previous one.

-JC-

[ParanoidaboutHiv]

i'll wind up calling in for my results. i wont be able to not. i just hope the result isnt some mix up and they tell me i'm positive. i dont fully trust how they do things at that clinic. the counselor emailed me back today and told me that he thinks that the clinic has a "lousy batch of tests" . i hope he's right.