Test results

[Confused387]

Hi, I am a bit confused with my test results. I had my yearly physical checkup and my CBC test reults came back saying my WBC was low (3.4) and I had Leucopenia (term for low WBC count?). I got scared after reading the causes for this and went in for testing for HIV using the rapid test. The test was inconclusive, from what the doctor said, but could maybe positive because he wasn't sure if there was faint line in the test result strip. So they drew blood again, sent it out for testing and asked me to come back in a week.

When I got my results they explained my results as follows:

Particle　Agglutination (PA) test HIV1 and HIV 1/2: negative

Antigen Antibody test: negative

Also they performed a PCR test (40 copies/ml and above): negative

The doctor said they did not perform a Western Blot test. I guess I was relieved at hearing this, but still didn't really fully understand what a PCR test was, so I read some sites on this topic.

Some things I am confused on are:

Why they performed a PCR test?

Also, how accurate is the PA test as compared to the Elisa test. I have heard the that the Elisa/Western Blot test provides the best results. Are my results above just as accurate?

Last, what can cause a low WBC count? I am currently going to meet with my physician to do some more testing over my WBC, but was wondering.

I appreciate any feedback.

[snippets69]

particle agglutination is just another method... It's not the same as ELISA, but it's modern and reliable.

[Confused387]

Thanks for the feedback. I have not had unprotected sexual contact for a 7 weeks, but did have any instance on a one night stand ( 8-9 weeks ago) that the condom broke a big hole and I was exposed for a bit. Other than that I have had protected sex. I didn't think much about it, but when I got my physical I got really scared and that is why I went in for testing.

My doctor said that pretty much the results are conclusive. He said the PA test detects within 6-7 weeks and the PCR test will detect even sooner the HIV virus. I guess I will go back in at the 3 month period to get retested.

But I think the doctor did say that my test was not Elisa and it was PA test. Is there a difference or is the Elisa test a PA test? This is one of my questions in my original post.

[ro345]

wbc or cbc has no connect with HIV. pcr test is not an approved test for HIV. but u got the negative result from Elisa. so u can be strong ur self. but tell us, after how meny days u did the test. u remember that 3 months test is conclusive for anybody.

[snippets69]

If your ELISA and PCR were negative, you don't have HIV.