could i have a false positive??

Four  weeks ago,i went for an elisa test and it came back positve.i didn't do it because i thought i was at risk but because i was escorting my brother and i was supporting him cause he thought he was at risk.These results shocked me because i can't think of a time when i was exposed.I have been in a six year relationship so i told my boyfriend to get tested and he was found negative....i can't seem to understand whats going on.i have read that sometimes the test detects antibodies that are not from hiv.I am totally depressed,i can't think straight cause thats all thats going through my head,to top it off,the doctor there advised me against getting another test like the PCR because she said everyone who tests positive on an elisa test is usually positive.Its hard to believe ESPECIALLY with the lifestyle i live.What should do??

[Teak]

You are not positive until you have a confirmative test.

[JeanClaude]

As Teak has explained, to be diagnosed HIV , a confirmative test (Western Blot) needs to be run. False Positives do happen. You need to be retested.

-JC-

[ParanoidaboutHiv]

did you go to a clinic in chicago? i did and my counselor told me that he thinks i had a false positive there. i got three more rapid tests done after the "faint reactive" and they were all negative. i'm waiting on a western blot test result now, but i'm delicately assured i had a false positive, given the fact that i dont engage in unprotected anal and i dont come in contact with semen during oral (i rarely perform it, but always receive it). send me a message on here. maybe we went to the same clinic where the counselor told me he believes they had a "lousy batch of tests".

[Chonya]

well,they still refused to give me another test.saying it would be a waste and i should jus accept it now.i havent been to another ever since and am left with just taking the rapid hiv test when i have the courage,i dont know what to do..cause i can't stand it it where to be positive again.what makes it even worse it that my boyfriend even dumped me..it can only be over this.
I didnt take the test in the usa.

[nareshbbunty]

indeterminate  results of western blot are resolve thru NAT tests why not do a NAT?
it is highly sensitive and the fear of a false positive does not apply to your case.

[Chonya]

thanku,your messages are very comforting and and my ex did get a negative result that's why my result gets more depressing to think about.
The country am living in only has one laboratory where they offer the elisa and western blot because it's so expensive.they dont offer the nat but i feel more courageous now and i'l take the rapid hiv test.it has been a harsh year and every time i get the sniffles,am thinking maybe those are the signs.