Confirmatory Test

[comfim]

Unfortunately I tested positive on an Insti (TM) rapid blood test.  My private doctor has offered me a choice of 3 confirmatory tests:

Western Blot
PCR RNA
Duo

I need to go back to him tomorrow to take an independent sample. It is 4 months since my last exposure.  Which confirmatory test would you recommend?

[MikeJohn78]

Great news for your while life!!! Please treasure it. Please help all HIV patients!!!.
All these people need help!!!

[bp73]

Your committment to create AIDS awareness is an excellent idea --- I think I'll join you in that effort

Congrats on results - our prayers to everyone battling HIV/AIDS - may God bless you all!

[nice_gathering]

Very good news indeed.

No doubt that you should move on as the Western Blot test you had covered for both HIV1 and HIV2.

Congratulations again and all the best.

[comfim]

Thanks to all for your warm comments.

And to nice gathering yes the Western Blot did test for HIV2 but the PCR did not

A negative Western Blot (no antibodies detected whatsoever) is a confirmed negative so I am moving on

Take care everyone

[nice_gathering]

I am glad that this forum is trying to help all worried about HIV/AIDS. It is such a good news that a positive rapid HIV test was followed by negative PCR and Western Blot.

Just to be on very safe side, please check with your Dr/Health care provider that the confirmatory test(s) covered both HIV1 and HIV2.

Best wishes and congratulations.

[sg_18]

congrats,
I had similar results. Positive rapid test followed by negative WB and PCR.

[kylewells]

Congrats :)

[NeverAgain624]

Congratulations!!!!!!  That is the best news I've heard in a long time!

[margo96]

Congratulations man!!! awesome

[DDSCARED71]

IM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!

[Nurse1212]

FANTASTIC NEWS  BEST NEWS I HAVE HEARD ALL WEEK !!  CONGRATS...  I am very happy for you.  

[Swat_valley]

Hello

I was waiting for the results of your confirmatory tests. I am so happy that your results are NEGATIVE.

It is a very good news and today is World's AIDS Day.

On this day, all of us should try to raise awareness about HIV and try to help those who have HIV.

All the best!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No need for further testing.  You do not have HIV and do not need further testing.  EWH

[comfim]

Doctor

Just got my result back.  Western blot tested for 7 antibodies (all undetected) and PCR RNA under 40 copies.  My doctor says this is great news and I should move on with life.  Would you agree I am in the clear ?  Should I have another test to be 100% on the safe side?

[iamnotalegendatall]

Sorry to hear of your predicament.

You have misunderstood your Doctor. It sounds to me like you went to Freedom Health. If so, they DO NOT offer a choice, but they actually test each positive through ALL THREE additional divergent testing methods.

Good luck.

[comfim]

Thanks - I will take your advice and come back with the result

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I'm sure that you are concerned about this result and wish to resolve things as soon as possible.  I obviously cannot comment on your situation and to do so would be of little help to you at this time.  At the same time, it may be useful for me to point out to you that all tests, including the rapid test you had do sometimes give false positive results and for this reason a 2nd, confirmatory test should be performed.  The "gold standard" for confirmatory testing is the Western Blot test in which your blood will be tested for a variety of antibodies to HIV. this is, as I said, the "gold standard" test and is accepted worldwide.  PCR would show if the virus is present but this test also has some false positive issues and a slightly higher false positive rate on its own than the Western Blot.  I would not recommend the Duo for this purpose.

Thus, I would vote for the Western Blot.  Hope these comments help.  EWH