is there a chance to be negative?

[japjap]

I just like to ask that if you are reactive with their initial test with the "pregnancy-like" HIV test kit, is there a possibility that you could be negative to ELISA and Western Blot?

I was just told this afternoon that my blood was reactive to HIV, and further confirmatory test would be done. I don't know what to do. I don't blame anyone with this, but I don't know where to start. I told my mom, and she starts worrying about my health. I currently have no job, and can't sustain myself. I really need your expert advice. Thank you friends.

[Rev. Moon]

Japjap,

false positives can (and do) happen, especially when using a rapid-test.  The only way to be absolutely sure is by means of a Western Blot test.

Hopefully you will get good news when all is said and done.

In the meantime, until your test is confirmed, please be sure to restrict your posts and interactions to this thread.  It will be greatly appreciated.

Best of luck.

[Lad_Liam]

Hey japjap
Sorry to hear you're in this situation but welcome to the best place on the net for + information and experience.

As the reverend said, western blot is the only way to know. I know it's hard waiting in limbo.

You can still be proactive about the rest of you life though, as this news or this virus won't stop that. 

You express concern about your work situation. I wonder if there is anything you can do to think about where you would like to head work-wise, and how to get there?

Whatever the test says, you will still want to be having a long, healthy meaningful life.

Without wanting to add to your worries or pressure, could being proactive in this area be a way to feel like thou have some control at the moment? Preparing for job applicataions, getting your cv in order, volunteering, study, vacancy surfung? Just making a plan can make me feel more reassured.

Nobody can control the time periods required for this testing, and I know from experience that worrying about it minute-by-minute as it happens will only hurt unnecessarily.

My advice as a recently poz person is Try and be gently on yourself and to not stress out too much. Express the pain but don't let it rule you. This is not the end of anything, and at the moment it's an unconfirmed screening test, so best idea, as you are doing, is to seek info and support.

I congratulate you on posting here. My advice is to Find out the facts about the testing procedures, time windows, etc, so that you are not afraid of fictions. When i was indeterminate i knew i had to mentally Prepare myself for the test to go either way, but the side that needed most work was the + side.  That was 3 moths ago, so I know anyone can cope whatever happens, cause I have, and I'm just a regular guy.


Cheers


Liam