Am I positive or not?

[ScorpioGuy]

I had unprotected sex (drunken stupid mistake) with a man who only told me after that he was HIV positive - this was back in February. About two weeks later I became very ill and was checked into the hospital 4 weeks after exposure. My WBC and platelet’s were very low and caused concern... they tested for everything they could think of including HIV (negative) rapid, all hepatitis etc. They did a "White Blood Cell Treatment" and gave me IV antibiotics which both made me feel much much better.
 
Since this, I have had a persistent cough with thick yellow sputum and a general sick feeling. The doctors have pumped me full of anti-biotics for months - I was once again checked into the hospital mid October as my fever spiked, I couldn't keep anything down, and my WBC, platelet’s, CD4/8 ratio, and my RBC were all way too low... They did a bone marrow biopsy and other tests - it was finally nailed down to pneumonia for months - HOWEVER, one of the final tests was another HIV test (after 10 days in the hospital). This time the Elisa came back reactive for either HIV 1 or HIV 2. A confirmation Western Blot was done with "Indeterminate" results with the following:
 
p18 absent
p24 equivocal
p31 equivocal
p51 absent
p55 equivocal
p65 present
gp120 present
gp160 present
gp40 absent
gp41 equivocal

So of course I am freaking out a little but it seems like ant-biotics make me feel better so I am wondering if there was a chance of a cross-reaction on the Elisa test? and after 9 months would the WB have been positive if it was positive? WHY SO ARE SO MANY OF THE BANDS EQUIVOCAL? I know I need to go back and retest within 3 to 6 months but wondering what my risk factor is here....what else could this be?

[Ann]

Scorpio,

Unfortunately, with strong gp120, gp160 and p65 bands, you are more than likely hiv positive. The gp120 and gp160 are particularly important when interpreting a WB test.

If I were you, I would find a Infectious Disease or hiv specialist. If the doctors who tested you while in hospital were general practitioners, they may not be up-to-date on things concerning hiv. If you use the Health Services Directory at poz.com, you can find an ASO (aids service organisation) near you who should be able to point you in the right direction for finding a knowledgeable doctor.

An ID or hiv specialist will more than likely retest you for hiv, along with running tests that will look for the virus itself (PCR aka viral load tests).

You should find a doctor sooner rather than later - don't wait three to six months.

Your speculation over antibiotics messing with the ELISA or WB tests is unfounded. They will not have any effect on your results. Whatever is going on with you symptomatically is not hiv specific and could very well be a coincidental infection caused by something else. Again, get yourself to an ID or hiv specialist (either will do) and get to the bottom of what's going on.

Being hiv positive isn't the end of the world, although it may feel like it at first. Those feelings are normal and will get better in time. People diagnosed today, who adhere to regular doctor appointments and take meds when needed and as directed have a normal life-span expectancy. You'll be ok. Just make sure you get yourself a good doctor sooner rather than later. Start looking for one today, as soon as you read this.

Please be careful when responding - in this particular section of the forums, you are only permitted three free posts and you will not be permitted to post in the other sections of the forums until you've cleared up this question mark hanging over your hiv status with a specialist. However, unfortunately it does look as though you are hiv positive. Hang in there, ok?

Ann