Is there False hiv+ test results?

[natejok]

Researching found out that there are many factors that may lead to a false-positive hiv test result. I just tested positive, I always have had protected sex, but was under risk few months ago when a condom broke and a guy finished in me.  I haven't developed any of hiv symptoms, I know I don't have to necessary have symptoms.  But I have many of the conditions that are listed to be possible causes of a false result. At the moment of the test: I did test positive for syphilis, neg for the rest of the STDs, but at the time of the test I had a strong viral infection and/or rectal infection non from sexual transmition, plus I was under anabolic steroids and I abused of the use of poppers(almost daily), used them for self sexual stimulation but haven't enrolled in sexual activities since that last exposure, plus I had two hair transplants (last one only 9 months before the test), tested hiv-neg at that moment. So since I find out that all of those conditions were listed to be possible causes of false-positives and I had too many of them at the moment of the test, How big is the possibility that my test is a false result caused by those other conditions?
I list those conditions again:
1.-Viral infections (syphilis)
2.-Rectal infection (not sexual transmitted.).
3.-Two hair transplants (last one 9 months before the test when I tested negative)
4.-Use of anabolic steroids (used them before and was using them during the week I was tested, same day of the test actually.)
5.-Use of inhalable nitrites (poppers) was addicted to them and used them daily sometimes, when no daily at least 2 or 3 times a week, last time the day b4 the test.
6.-Receiving anal intercourse.

[Andy Velez]

Ultimately neither presence nor the absence of symptoms will ever tell you anything accurately about your HIV status. And yes, there can be a false positive on an HIV test. It's not common but it does happen.

You mention you had a single incident in which the condom broke and you were the receptive partner. Although the condom would have protected both you and your partner until it broke, you were definitely still at risk once it broke. And there is no minimizing that level of risk.

Only an HIV test taken at the appropriate time -- the CDC recommends 13 weeks after the most recent risky incident -- will give you a reliable answer. A positive ELISA is always confirmed by a western blot. If the western blot result is negative that trumps the ELISA.

It's not clear from what you have written if you have had a confirmatory positive result.

If you haven't re-tested I would urge you to do that right off. Fingers crossed that you get a negative result.

Keep us posted. If you test positive again then please join us in the LIVING WITH HIV section as you will find a lot of support and information there.

Best of luck,

[Ann]

Nate,

I removed the links you provided in your post. They lead to AIDS Denialist websites and we do NOT allow denialist material on this website. Their views are dangerous and have no place on a science based forum such as ours. You agreed to not post denialist materials on this website when you agreed to our Terms of Membership when you became a member. If you post denialist materials again, you will be banned, no questions asked.

To learn more about why denialists are so dangerous, please read the AIDS Truth.org webpages.

While it is true that false positives can sometimes occur with the ELISA tests, most of what you list as causes aren't right. For a start, syphilis is bacterial, not viral.

Most false positives are caused by autoimmune conditions or pregnancies. Sometimes they just happen. This is why ANY positive ELISA test MUST be confirmed with a Western Blot test.

If you haven't already had this confirmation, you need to get it. If you HAVE already had WB confirmation, then you are indeed hiv positive and you need to stop reading denialist claptrap and start reading the Lessons section of this website.

For now, start with our Welcome Thread and follow the Testing Lesson link after you've read through the posting guidelines.

Ann