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HIV Test
Hello Dr. Hook,
1 Month after the no risk exposure that I described previously (Protected vaginal sex - unprotected oral sex) I did a test which came back negative for all stds including Hiv. I know it was too early but it was a no risk exposure so I decided not to do another test.
One week ago (9 Months after the no risk exposure) I did an HIV Test (Even if there was no need, I have a new girlfriend now and I wanted to be 100% sure that I don't have Hiv).
The doctor told me that my ELISA test was positive and so they sent my blood sample for an Antigen Western Blot test which came back negative. The doctor told me that 99,999% the Elisa test was false because of other factors that might affect the blood but he asked me to retest in one week.
Is it possible that I have contacted Hiv?
If so, how?
I used a condom and it didn't break. I also cannot have Hiv from previus relationships because I tested Hiv negative 9 months ago. Also I am not using drugs and I cannot think of another way that I could contacted Hiv.
I read that the Western Blot test is very accurate. If so, why the doctor told me to redo the test? Is it because she's not sure if I'm telling the truth about the exposure and in that case I might contacted Hiv very recently (1-2 months ago) and that's why the Western Blot test is showing a negative result (because it's too early?)
Also, isn't there a possibility that all the ELISA tests that I'll do will be positive even if I don't have HIV?
Please let me know your thoughts because I am very anxious.
1 Month after the no risk exposure that I described previously (Protected vaginal sex - unprotected oral sex) I did a test which came back negative for all stds including Hiv. I know it was too early but it was a no risk exposure so I decided not to do another test.
One week ago (9 Months after the no risk exposure) I did an HIV Test (Even if there was no need, I have a new girlfriend now and I wanted to be 100% sure that I don't have Hiv).
The doctor told me that my ELISA test was positive and so they sent my blood sample for an Antigen Western Blot test which came back negative. The doctor told me that 99,999% the Elisa test was false because of other factors that might affect the blood but he asked me to retest in one week.
Is it possible that I have contacted Hiv?
If so, how?
I used a condom and it didn't break. I also cannot have Hiv from previus relationships because I tested Hiv negative 9 months ago. Also I am not using drugs and I cannot think of another way that I could contacted Hiv.
I read that the Western Blot test is very accurate. If so, why the doctor told me to redo the test? Is it because she's not sure if I'm telling the truth about the exposure and in that case I might contacted Hiv very recently (1-2 months ago) and that's why the Western Blot test is showing a negative result (because it's too early?)
Also, isn't there a possibility that all the ELISA tests that I'll do will be positive even if I don't have HIV?
Please let me know your thoughts because I am very anxious.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
There are no medical conditions that have any effect on the reliability of HIV testing, and certainly this sort of thing doesn't do so.
It is almost never possible to find a reason for a false positive HIV test result. Don't waste your time.
That's definitely all for this thread. Do your best to move on.
It is almost never possible to find a reason for a false positive HIV test result. Don't waste your time.
That's definitely all for this thread. Do your best to move on.
Hello doctor,
I have one last question. It's not exactly in your field..
My parents told me that in my last general blood test they found that I have Right shift Leukocytosis. Is there a way that it might affected the Elisa result? The reason I'm asking is that I want to find out what cosed the false result.
All the Best!
I have one last question. It's not exactly in your field..
My parents told me that in my last general blood test they found that I have Right shift Leukocytosis. Is there a way that it might affected the Elisa result? The reason I'm asking is that I want to find out what cosed the false result.
All the Best!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
There is no need for additional testing. There is no possibility that the ELISA is correct and the WB wrong.
If and when you are tested for HIV again, do not go straight to a Western blot. (The clinic probably would refuse anyway.)
I know you were alarmed when the initial test was positive. However, it is time to move on without worry about it. The scientific evidence is clear: you definitely do not have HIV.
That will end this thread. I won't have any further advice.
If and when you are tested for HIV again, do not go straight to a Western blot. (The clinic probably would refuse anyway.)
I know you were alarmed when the initial test was positive. However, it is time to move on without worry about it. The scientific evidence is clear: you definitely do not have HIV.
That will end this thread. I won't have any further advice.
Thank you for the reply doctor.
So, you think that in my case there's no need for further testing?
If I do the test again in the same clinic, as they told me, should I tell them to not do the ELISA test again, just do the Western Blot one?
Sorry for keep asking questions but I'm still anxious because I was't expecting the ELISA text to be positive and it was a shock, even if the Western Blot test was negative.
Is there a possibility that the ELISA test is correct and the Western Blot is wrong?
So, you think that in my case there's no need for further testing?
If I do the test again in the same clinic, as they told me, should I tell them to not do the ELISA test again, just do the Western Blot one?
Sorry for keep asking questions but I'm still anxious because I was't expecting the ELISA text to be positive and it was a shock, even if the Western Blot test was negative.
Is there a possibility that the ELISA test is correct and the Western Blot is wrong?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Greetings. Dr. Hook and I take questions without regard to specific requests. You got me this time.
The standard HIV antibody tests give false positive results from time to time. It can be alarming, but most such results truly are false -- i.e. no HIV infection is present. The Western blot accurately sorts it out, so you can be certain you did not catch HIV during the sexual exposure a few months ago. I cannot say why your doctor decided to repeat the WB a second time -- you'll have to ask him or her. Most likely, s/he was just being careful. In any case, with a second negative WB, you can be doubly confident you don't have HIV.
It is possible you will have additional false positive ELISA tests in the future, but not necessarily. To reduce the chance, in the event of future HIV testing, tell the doctor or clinic of your past false positive result. Even better, get copies of the lab reports, both the initial ELISA result (which should include the name of the test) and one of the Western blot reports, and show them to the doc or clinic where you are tested. Most likely they will avoid that specific ELISA . This won't totally eliminate the possibility of another false positive result, but it will reduce the chance.
So no worries; all is well. Best wishes and stay safe--
HHH, MD
The standard HIV antibody tests give false positive results from time to time. It can be alarming, but most such results truly are false -- i.e. no HIV infection is present. The Western blot accurately sorts it out, so you can be certain you did not catch HIV during the sexual exposure a few months ago. I cannot say why your doctor decided to repeat the WB a second time -- you'll have to ask him or her. Most likely, s/he was just being careful. In any case, with a second negative WB, you can be doubly confident you don't have HIV.
It is possible you will have additional false positive ELISA tests in the future, but not necessarily. To reduce the chance, in the event of future HIV testing, tell the doctor or clinic of your past false positive result. Even better, get copies of the lab reports, both the initial ELISA result (which should include the name of the test) and one of the Western blot reports, and show them to the doc or clinic where you are tested. Most likely they will avoid that specific ELISA . This won't totally eliminate the possibility of another false positive result, but it will reduce the chance.
So no worries; all is well. Best wishes and stay safe--
HHH, MD
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