WB performance has never been formally studied as a primary screening test. However, the biology and technology of the test indicate the result should be completely reliable.
Thanks, Dr. Handsfield. I really appreciate your timely response. The work both you and Dr. Hook do here is very much appreciated.
1) Just to clarify, though -- why is it I can rely on this test result, considering I used it as a primary test (at 8 weeks) and that "it's only value is in confirming a positive ELISA," which I never had.
Welcome to the forum.
It was a mistake for you to insist on the Western blot. Had you come to my clinic, we would have refused your request. A negative ELISA, by itself, is 100% proof against HIV if done mor ethan 6-8 weeks after the last possible exposure. WB was not designed as a primary test -- it's only value is in confirming a positive ELISA.
And yes, "this is the case in [your] situation" -- since it is the case in everybody's "situation". You can be 100% certain you do not have HIV.
Regards-- HHH, MD