Unsure of HIV Test Results

[Jozie77]

Dear Doctor

I am unsure of my boyfriends HIV test results and they are stressing me out, so I am hoping that you can help me.

In September 2008 he went for an HIV test, 3rd generation for HIV 1 and 2 and the results came back saying non-reactive.  However the comment on the lab report was as follows: the serological findings of the above patient indicate a reactive elisa test for HIV, this is only a screening test and confirmation should be done.  This seems to contradict the actual result which definately says non reactive.  So I don't understand what this means?  Could you explain to me?  The only thing I can think of is that they perform a few tests on one sample of blood and one of the tests happen to be reactive whereas the others didn't?  Or do you think that maybe the lab actually got the result wrong and it should have read reactive?  I should mention that he did this test through his doctor who said all was ok and didn't request further testing.

Anyhow before we started having unprotected sex I made him go for another HIV test (yes I am slightly paranoid) this was in December 2008.  He had a 4th generation Abbott HIV test and the result said negative.

But I can't get the comment from the first test out of my mind and I can't find any explanation for it and he just gets annoyed with me because he keeps saying that the result is non-reactive but I hate not understanding things fully.

Do you think I can believe/trust the fact that he is infact HIV negative based on this information?

I live in South Africa and both tests were done at recognised labs being Ampath and Lancet.

[Jozie77]

Sorry just to clarify, the comment said that there was a reactive Elisa indicated, does this mean the type of test or does it refer to a result of a test?

[Jozie77]

Thank you so much for your prompt response.

So you think that I should only focus on the result and not even try and figure out what the comment says, as I have been driving myself crazy with trying to figure it out?  Do you think that there is any chance that the lab may have written the incorrect result on the lab report?

Is the Abbott 4 Generation a duo test - does this test for antibodies and the actual virus?  So after 3 months would definately pick up something?

One last question, how many times do they test a blood sample during one HIV test?

I am sorry to ask so many questions but I worry a lot about HIV living in South Africa.

Many many thanks for your response.

Jozie

[Dr. Jose Gonzalez-Garcia, MD, MRCGP, PhD]

Hello,
You should not try to read into laboratory report language so much.  It is always common to writr in reports like the HIV test, reactive or non-reactive.  It is the same as positive or negative.  NON-REACTIVE=NEGATIVE.  Because the lab does not know the exact medical history of the patient (as that is up to the doctor requesting the tests), they would always add comments to cover every single possibility.  Because this test was an Elisa antibody test, they suggest confirmation in case the test has not been performed after the correct window period of about 12 weeks from possible exposure. Anyway all of this is now totally irrelevant because your boyfriend had a negative HIV Duo (4th generation) three months later, and that would definitely be final and conclusive.  Stop worrying unnecesarily.
Best wishes,
Dr Jose