POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: ed1808d on January 18, 2007, 07:09:56 pm
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On Tuesday, my Doctor informed me that I HIV positive using the (Western Block test). She further mentioned that my reading was very very low. I then conducted the Ora Quick Swab test which gave me a negative reading. My Doctor stated that I should wait 30 days and retest.
Signed,
Damn
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First of all, what was your risk? Drs. don't do a Western Blot first.
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What was the risk and how long after did you test? First do not assume anything until you get the proper tests done. It makes absolutely no sense to order a Western Blot without ordering an ELISA--unfortunately I've come across clueless doctors who try to order it that way. You cannot get an HIV diagnosis until you have BOTH ELISA/Western Blot considered positive. Getting a second opinion from a doctor that actually has some knowledge of HIV might also be something you can consider.
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Was your doctor testing you for any other illnesses; the Western Blot isn't just limited to testing for HIV; however, if she was testing for HIV the Western Blot was the incorrect test to use for initial testing.
Your oral swab test was one of the correct tests to use and you are reliably HIV negative if the test was done 3 months after your last unprotected sexual encounter.
Your "very very low" reading on the Western Blot was in all likelihood a normal reaction that a significant number of the HIV negative community will always test reactive for and that's one of the reasons the Western Blot is not be used as an initial HIV test.
First test wrong, oral swab correct.
Testing past 3 months then you are HIV negative.
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This IS a confusing situation. We need more complete information before you can get an informed response.
Maybe you need to be in touch with your doctor to get some clarification as well.