Weak–positive ELISA, Indeterminate Blot

[jwilliams09]

Last time that I was sexually active was in August, 2008. In October I had full STI/HIV testing done. No STI's came back, but the blood Elisa test for HIV showed up as "weak–positive". I repeated the test about 10 days later and it came back the exact same. The lab that conducted the test told my doctor that their evaluation was that I was not HIV positive. Also, when I went back to the doctors to give more blood for the re-test, he gave me a rapid, blood HIV test that came back negative. I could never shake that feeling of "weak–positive" and wanted a clear negative or positive. I've gotten 2 rapid HIV tests (OraSure, I believe) since, one around January 2009 and another at the end of March 2009, 9 months since I was last sexually active and 3 months over the window period. Both of those tests came back as HIV negative, non-reactive. Being slightly hypocondriacal and after too much googling I decided to get a Western Blot as this was advised for people with reactive HIV test (mine being the weak–positive that I've been finding hard to shake). I got the WB on Tuesday and got the results today – indeterminate.

Western Blot results/bands:

gp160, absent
gp120, absent
p65, absent
p55, absent
gp41, absent
gp40, absent
p31, equivocal
p24, absent
p18, absent

So, only one band showing, equivocal at that, but still, worried sick now that 9 months since being sexually active a HIV WB is coming back indeterminate. After another Googling bout since I've received the results earlier, I see that p31 is a high HIV band unlike some others.

Any advice/expertise, etc. would be greatly appreciated. What's my next step? The lab said another WB test in 4 to 6 weeks but I'm not sure that I can wait that long. Since it's been 9 months since I've had sex, I should have been totally through servoventing by now. I've read that after indeterminate WB tests, PCR tests are the next step?

Many thanks in advance,

Jay.

[Teak]

Yes.  and you're welcome. Just use latex or poloyurethane condoms consistently and correctly and you'll protect yourself from HIV and most STDs.

[jwilliams09]

So (and sorry for so many questions to you, but I really appreciate you're responses), from my worried state point of view, I should just take the 1 band on the blot as negative and move on? Thanks again, Teak!

[Teak]

The only way you would have more band show present is by having another unprotected exposure.

[jwilliams09]

Do you think that because more bands would have shown up 9 sex-free months later on the Blot and not just one, equivocal at that, well past the window period?

[Teak]

Your test was Negative not indeterminate.

[jwilliams09]

Woops, I mean seroconversion not servoventing. Thanks. Jay.