Oral Sex

[foolish_boy]

I had a risk factor 12/05.
Tested HIV negative @ 7 weeks and the same time
Tested positive for HBV but two follow up test came back negative, last test in June 06. No follow up test for HIV.

During the time period of 1/06 and 3/06 I had massive fatigue, white coated tongue and enlarged glands the neck and groin.
I assumed it was the HBV but when the test came back negative (june/06) it seems to point HIV. I've seem two different doctors regarding the white tongue both said no sign of yeast infection.

Question - can human error code blood test incorrectly, HIV vs HBV?

[foolish_boy]

Thanks, the Test was with Quest. I was confused as to how HBV positive, false and then flase again could occur. I was just courious if a person testing the results could mistakingly code HBV for HIV or is the testing is computerized.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Of course human error is always possible.  Indeed, the large majority of apparent lab errors in HIV testing (and probably HBV testing, for that matter) probably are not false negative or false positive test results, but some sort of mixup in the lab--testing the wrong specimen in a partiuclar person's name.  However, in industrialized countries, a tremendous amount of energy has gone into assuring that such errors don't occur--especially for HIV, but really for all specimens.  For example, in my STD clinic a patient's blood specimen doesn't even leave the room where it is drawn before being labeled with the patient's name and clinic ID number.  And once specimens arrive the labs, various systems, often using bar coding or similar tracking, assure that the specimen, paperwork, and results all remain inextricably linked with one another.

So can it occur?  Sure.  Does it occur?  Very rarely.  Do I think your symptoms are due to HIV despite your negative test?  Absolutely not.  Many conditions other than HIV cause the symptoms you describe, and if the two doctors you saw thought you might have HIV, surely they would have retested you.  And your symptoms don't particularly suggest HBV infection either, although I don't quite know how to interpret those on-again, off-again test results.  But if you remain nervous, it's no big deal to be retested for either or both infections.  Talk to your doc(s) about it.

Finally, you don't say what your "risk factor" in 12/05 was, but the title of your question suggest it was oral sex, which is zero to extremely low risk for either infection--and further proof against HIV or HBV as the cause of your symptoms.

Good luck--- HHH, MD