Accuracy of rapid tests??

[bebe1005]

Hi Everyone!
I would appreciate any advice that you guys can give me…here’s my situation:

I am a 21 year old female and for the last 4 years of my life I have been convinced that I contracted HIV. I thought I got it from numerous partners, bathrooms, razors, etc. I always somehow convinced myself that  I was not at risk and was able to forget about it for periods of time and live normally.

However, in recent weeks my stress levels have been up due to work and I have been having panic attacks frequently. Along with these panic attacks came the thought that I could possibly have HIV. The thoughts consumed me for about 3 weeks until I finally broke down and got tested last week.

That was the first time I have ever been tested in my entire life, until then I have always been too scared. I thought a negative result would satisfy me, however I insisted that my partner also be tested.

My partner and I have been in a monogamous relationship for 9 months and the last time either of us was sexually active with another person was around 11 months ago. Both of our test results were negative, we had rapid blood tests.

My questions:
1.   Does this mean that we do not have HIV?
2.   Since neither of us has been with anyone else in almost a year and both of our tests are negative, does that mean I can finally stop worrying about this?

Any advice or comments are appreciated 

[RapidRod]

1. Yes
2. Yes

[bebe1005]

Thanks...I guess I'm just having a hard time forgetting about this Its like my mind is trying to convince me that I still have a reason to believe I am infected. Any advice?

[Ann]

bebe,

You have tested conclusively hiv negative. You and your boyfriend both. You do not have hiv.

Ann

[bebe1005]

Hi Everyone,

I was browsing the forums today and came across a post that says that recent studies have found that there have been false negatives with raipid HIV tests. Someone specifically said that it happened with Oraquick tests. Is this the case with all rapid HIV tests or just the Oraquick ones?

I got a rapid HIV test at Planned Parenthood in June of this year and the result was negative. This was 10 months after my last exposure. I'm not sure what type of rapid test was used, but I think it was Unigold since my boyfriend got tested at a different PP and that's what his was.

So obviously I'm freaking out right now...I had worried about contracting HIV for 4 years before I got this tests done and now I feel horrible all over again. Assuming I did have an Oraquick test what are the chances that I got a false negative?

I appreciate any responses I get. Thank you.

[RapidRod]

Oral quick tests taken 3 months post exposure are conclusive they were never designed for give a conclusive result earlier. You can go to Orasure Tech website and read the inserts that goes out with all tests.

Are all negatives true negatives?
A Non-Reactive (negative) test means that anti-HIV antibodies were not detected in the specimen. This test result is interpreted as Negative.

It is possible to get a negative screening test if the infection is very recent. This may be because there is a window period of several weeks when a person may be infected but antibodies to the virus have not reached a concentration that is visible. Therefore, if a person has certain risk factors, or thinks they may have been exposed to HIV, they should be retested in three months to be certain of a negative result.
http://www.orasure.com/products-infectious/products-infectious-oraquick.asp#faq5
#5

[RapidRod]

 Please do not start a new thread every time you have another question or thought - regardless if you think your questions are related to each other or not. It helps us to help you when you keep all your thoughts or questions in one thread and it helps other readers to follow the discussion. Additional threads will be merged.


 If you cannot find your thread, click on the "Show own posts" link in the left-hand column of any forum page, under your name.

[Ann]

Bebe,

I've merged your new thread into your original thread - where you should post all your additional thoughts or questions. It helps us to help you when you keep all your additional thoughts or questions in one thread. It doesn't matter how long it has been since you last posted in your thread or if the subject matter is different.

If you need help finding your thread when you come here, click on the "Show own posts" link under your name in the left-hand column of any forum page.

Please also read through the Welcome Thread so you can familiarize yourself with our Forum Posting Guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation.




You've already been told that you are conclusively hiv negative. It's time for you to move on.

Ann