Hello Dr., and other site readers. Recently, after donating blood, I received a letter stating that my sample had tested postive for HIV with the ELISA testing, but this result had been proven to be false through the Western Blot Test, as well as through Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing. As there are very few threads (that I was able to find) dealing with false positives, I was hoping a doctor could shed a little bit more light on the stats about false positives on the ELISA: How often does it happen? Is there any chance that the ELISA was right while the Western Blot was a false negative? What are the chances the WB and NAT were both wrong? etc etc..
Obviously receiving a false positive on such a life changing test can be a pretty stressful experience, and I'm sure 'anyone' who has been through this would agree, even after hearing "You have nothing to worry about." If anyone else has stories about false positives I'd be more than happy to hear them.
Also, other than just asking for a doctor to share some general facts, I have to say I am looking for some personal reassurance. I know that my case is low risk, but as I said earlier there seem to be very few threads about false positive cases... I am a straight male and I have had vaginal sex with only one girl (whom I know to be fairly promiscuous), on two different occasions. I also performed and received oral sex unprotected from this girl on several (5-6) occasions. Both times a condom was used, it seemed to be in good shape afterwards, and one of the times was during her menstrual period. I know that viral loads increase during a girl's period, and thus the chances of transmitting HIV increase. I'm pretty sure I know what you're going to say about my specific case, but I need to hear it regardless. As I said earlier, this has been a pretty stressful thing for me. Thanks in advance.