The answer isn't going to change the answer is NO.
Sorry, I was saying if you did have an exposure would thta be possible? Again sorry
I was not clear.
No that is not what it means.. You never had an exposure.
So, does this mean you could test neg antibody past the window period and test pos viral load? and be hiv pos.
Even though the outcome was certain, congrats on your negative.
Just for future reference, the only testing recommended for people with your sexual lifestyle is annual STD/HIV screening, which you can get at no/low cost at your county health department.
Thank you all for your help!!
Just got all my labs back and I am negative!!
This site is invaluable and you all are wonderful.
Thank you again!
WRONG. Viral Load test are not used to diagnose they are monitoring tests for people that ARE HIV POSITIVE.
I realize that I,m just making the point that a viral load test can also be used to diagnose hiv infection.Its just not used to measure hiv+ peoples viral loads.
The OP is HIV negative and therefore doesn't need a viral load test or any other testing. He never needed testing in the first place because he never had a risk and is now subjecting himself to multiple unnecessary tests. Read the earlier replies on this thread.
"Viral load tests can also be used to diagnose hiv infection"-'The body'-'wikipedia ''Medhelp'
WHY was he given a western blot then?And why will he be receiving a viral load test on monday.Answer that question?
MOVE ON. YOU DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT HIV OR TESTING. Had you bothered to take the time and read his first post he didn't have a risk and no one is given a western blot without first testing positive let alone a viral load test.
That,s total BS,anyone can have a viral load test done if there previous WB was indeterminate,or if hiv infection is suspected.
You didn't have a risk and a viral load test is a monitoring test for people that are known to be infected to monitor their HIV progression. The above poster doesn't have any background in HIV.
Its your right to get a viral load done if you are concerned about your western blot.Your decision,your life.All the best.
well we know how Teak feels. Does any one else have advice or words of encouragement?
Who would give your those tests for a non risk issue? You don't need to repost.
Hi Teak
Thanks for the vote of confidence in my hopefully negative result. I will post on Monday or Tuesday after I get my CD4, PCR and viral load results. I am HOPING that you are correct.
Detroit
Your risk was not low, it was NO RISK. Move along.
Thanks to both of you for the comments.
Although I agree with the idea that condoms are 100% effective it is hard to convince myself that I am 100% fine.
I believe that I should be long past detectable seroconversion and I believe that I should be lighting up a western blot at this point. However, the fact that my Western blot came back indeterminate scares me greatly.
A follow up question is would Quest Diag. run the ELISA and not write it on the report? If so why would they leave that part out?
Also why is the only western blot band mentioned p24? Why would they not list all the expected HIV bands and indicated that they were not observed?
Thanks again for all your help. I am waiting for my CD4, PCR and one other test to come back on Monday. Right now I am completely freaked out.
Thanks again
Detroit
For someone who had a real exposure and caught HIV, the WB would have multiple bands present at 11 weeks. Indeterminate p24 is actually pretty common when someone who doesn't have HIV gets an indeterminate WB. Your situation illustrates the dangers of testing for HIV when one doesn't have a risk for it.
I agree..if all of your insertive sex was condom protected, then you did not place yourself at risk for HIV. Certainly either a false + ELISA and/or indeterminate WB is scary, but it is actually not all that uncommon.
No risk=NO HIV, therefore you are conclusively negative.
To answer your questions....
1.) If you had had a risk and were seroconverting, you would have an unmistakenly positive test by now. You don't.
2.) Your results indicate a common false POS ELISA. If you were truly POS, there would be many bands on the WB.
Academically speaking I agree with you. However, I am shaken to my core about this. An indeterminate WB is scary!
Do you know anything about my 2 specific questions?
And thanks for the reply! This is really a great place to find people with tons of amazing information!
Detroit