First Positive, then Negative, then Positive again! Please advise

[mannycan]

Hi guys, last week my mother had a gall bladder removal surgery, but before the surgery some blood test were done because her platelet count was 79 as against 150-450 and her hemoglobin was also low; on day 1 Elisa test & HIV 1 & 2 anti-body tests using 2 different kits came negative; on day 2 the Elisa came positive. I live in US so I wasn't told about this but by my father, this week I found out that she had tested positive in Elisa about 3 months back.
She has a complex medical history with multiple herpes outbreaks, including Zoster & Simplex, all outbreaks coming above neck. She has lost 15-18 kgs in last 2-3 years and has been termed immunosuppresed by doctors. Please tell me what are the chances of her being HIV positive?
The surgeon who did her gall bladder removal said let her recover for 7-8 days then go for Western Blot or CD count. I need an idea of possibilities so that I can prepare myself accordingly. Please help me with ur comments.

[girlgottaknow]

HI, I dont know how much my information can help you, but it is from experience.

about 3 years ago i went to donate blood and RedCross rejected it saying I had a false positive test for HIV. I was in shock and of a pretty young age so i ripped the paper up threw it away and forgot about it

then about 8 months ago i started getting pretty sick alot and couldnt get better, so i told my doctor about the experience, and curisoity and she mentioned i get retested and all that.

Every single time i get tested I tes positive on the Elisa which is firghtening and negative on the western blot. They tell me it is a just somehting weird with my blood, but i too an very sketchy about it/

So what I am saying is the western blot confirms whether the elisa is correct, I am not sure how or why. But your mother could have whatever blood disorder I have. It is very confusing, and your mother is in my prayers. Take care.

[KRISDAVID]

First off, I work with HIV and AIDS patients.  The positive, negative, positive test results are generally unlikely.  I believe that this is a lab problem.  The first test I would recommend is a blood test for HIV only.  Then, if the test flip flops, I would recommend that a test be done every three months for the first year, then every six months for the second year.  Elisa test are generally the #1 done test in the U.S.  The main reason is because it is cheaper than the blood test.  The blood test is going to give you the best answer.  If you have an Infectious Disease doctor in your area, I would go straight there first.  An ID doctor will have the latest testing information and the ability to interpret the results in a controlled not rushed situation.  

I think the doctors or lab techs were worried about the gallbladder and those test that the HIV test was a secondary look.  

People can be immunosuppressed for a variety of reasons, from Fibro Mialga to simple Cold and Allergy related issues.