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Avatar universal

I need advice

Hello Dr,

I was tested six months ago and all was clear.

I had a possible exposure(vaginal)  about three months ago due to condom failure, she was a friend and insisted on condoms before sex, I stopped before ejaculation and continued with a new condom. The prevalence of HIV in Nigeria is less than 4% according to statistics.

I went to a strange lab in Nigeria they took my blood, centrifuged it and ten minutes later gave me a sheet of paper and ushered me out. This was not a government laboratory so their standards are questionable.

The paper stated I tested positive. I did some research and found out that they violated the conduct set out by the government here. They were meant to refer me for a further check and not diagnose me as such.

I don't understand I''ve not been ill once, no swollen glands, no chills, no fever, no sweats, no diarrhea nothing. It appears they did a rapid test but I have no idea which one it was or the quality of it.

Is it true that there are false positives??

If it is of relevance I was diagnosed with Hepatitis B in 2007

Pls advise thank you
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239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thanks for the kind words.  I'm glad to have helped.
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Avatar universal
Thank you so much for your advice.

Your efforts are most appreciated.

I don't know what I would have done if not for this forum.
Helpful - 0
239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
This is very good news -- congratulations!

Of course I cannot comment on private labs and their reliability in your country.  But false positive results occur sometimes with the rapid HIV tests, even in skilled hands.  Anyway, I'm glad to hear this outcome.  Best wishes.
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Avatar universal
Hello,

Further tests have shown that I am all clear, the doctor insists that we should all try to avoid private labs as they have questionable standards and products.

I am so relieved.
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Avatar universal
Hello,

I contacted the lab and the test was repeated but on the same rapid test and not a different brand, this is due to a lack of availability in the market. I saw a doctor and I've scheduled further testing.

There was no detailed written report, the doctor is of the impression that I need to do a western blot, as it is the system in place here.

What are your thoughts on them repeating the test on the same brand rapid test?
Helpful - 0
239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum.  Thanks for your question.

Most likely the laboratory uses proper procedures.  The rapid HIV blood tests are very easy to perform and most likely they did not make a mistake.  It is definitely true that the rapid tests sometimes give false positive results.  On the other hand, in developing countries like Nigeria, when an initial rapid test is positive, they immediately do a second but different rapid test.  If both are positive, it is considered a confirmed result.  On the other hand, 10 minutes seems too fast for two tests.  Carefully read the written result and/or ask the laboratory if they did this.  If you had a double positive on two rapid tests, I'm afraid it is confirmed you have HIV.  If only a single positive test, it may be false.

You should definitely see a doctor or clinic with experience in HIV/AIDS, or perhaps one of the government clinics.  The first thing they will do is repeat your test with confirmatory a test, perhaps an HIV Western blot.  If it confirmed you have HIV, there are options in Nigeria for sophisticated, Western style care, especially in urban areas like Lagos.

If your test is confirmed positive, you may not have caught it during the sexual exposure 3 months ago -- but of course this depends on whatever other sexual exposures you might have had in the 6 months since your last negative test.  You need to inform that person, and any other partners you have had, about your test results (but wait until confirmed positive).

Many people with new HIV infections have no symptoms, or such mild ones they don't notice.  Your hepatitis B several years ago makes no difference in your test result.

I'll be interested to hear the outcome after you have been retested.  Good luck--

HHH, MD
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