Hi EVERYONE! Can someone help me?

[sifter2k8]

So Ive been a trooper and been put through HELL about a situation and rather not discuss it again (bad memories im sure you can understand) I test negative multiple times with hiv antibody tests at various intervals. If my memory serves me correctly the times were 4 weeks, 10 weeks, 12.5 weeks and 12 MONTHS. I know that it is impossible to take longer than 12 months (just precaution really) but whats to stop a lab error when running the test? I mean im no lab tech so i don't know what they actually do to "test" the blood samples but what would an error be if there were to be one. I see all the time about well you had a false positive yet i could be a lab error...??!! well if there can be a lab error in the positive direction couldn't there be one for negative as well (aside from false negatives from being inside window), do you see what im saying? Im sure someone will know this from being far more knowledgeable than i. Im finally ready to move on from this WHOLE thing and need that extra push from some people who know more than i about this. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[Andy Velez]

We don't like to get stuck on "what ifs" here. We deal with the facts of a situation and evaluate accordingly.

No matter what the initial risk was which prompted your concern and getting tested, you have more than reliably removed HIV infection as an issue for yourself. You are HIV negative. Period.

Now HIV jitters, that's a whole other thing. You have been carrying around this concern (unnecesarily) for far too long. If you can't get it off of your mind then I suggest it's time for you to talk with a counselor or other professional and get some help and relief about this. We can't help you with that in this setting.

All I can say without any reservations is that based on what you have reported you are HIV negative. End of story.

[sifter2k8]

I dont fully understand the whole lab error thing though, i would not like to speculate on what ifs either but it is a question that has popped up and would like to get some light on it for me if someone so happens to know.

[Ann]

sifter,

 It's not our job to instruct you on the intricacies of antibody testing.

You're not going to get four false negative results. If there were a high rate of false negative antibody results, we'd know about it. The tests used are approved, thoroughly researched, widely used, and proven to be accurate.

If you cannot accept your negative results and move on with your life, perhaps it's time to work with a therapist or other mental health professional to help you understand these irrational fears about the tests. We cannot help you with that here.

Ann

[sifter2k8]

Wwhat your referring to is the test itself making an error. What I'm speaking of is an error made by the lab tech themselves.

[anniebc]

If you have no confidence in the testing center you attended then I suggest you talk to the Lab Staff...and if you are still not happy have then have your blood done somewhere else, then sit back and wait for them to give you your negative result.

Jan

[sifter2k8]

Doesn't have anything to do with having confidence in center..but accidents can happen right, so what could happen? If there was some kind of error via the person who runs the blood would we know.

[RapidRod]

Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusive negative result or no-risk situation, will be subject to a four week Time Out (a temporary ban from the Forums). If you continue to post excessively after one Time Out, you may be given a second Time Out which will last eight weeks. There is no third Time Out - it is a permanent ban. The purpose of a Time Out is to encourage you to seek the face-to-face help we cannot provide on this forum.

[Ann]

Sifter,

I already said to you that you're not going to get four negative results, one nine months past the window period, and have them all be wrong whether there's a problem with the test or the person running the test. It just ain't gonna happen all four times!

What made you get tested in the first place?

Ann

[sifter2k8]

Unprotected vaginal sex to be exact....was bad decision but that's why I took thetests....the reason I want to know about the errors that can occur is because I don't know how the tests are actually run and therfore don't know what errors could occur to make something like that happen, for instance mixing up different specimens administering it wrong etc...do they have things in place to ensure that? And while I agree I've had 4 neg they were all within window except the questionable 12 week or the unquestionable 12 month what if the unquestionable time at 12 was wronge because of error..sorry for ranting ann

[Ann]

sift,

A negative result at or past six weeks is highly unlikely to change, so I consider your last three test results to all be conclusive.

You do not have hiv. If you cannot accept that fact, I suggest you seek out a mental health care professional to find out why. We cannot help you with that here.

If you read the Welcome Thread before posting like you're supposed to, you will have read the following posting guideline:

Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusive negative result or no-risk situation, will be subject to a four week Time Out (a temporary ban from the Forums). If you continue to post excessively after one Time Out, you may be given a second Time Out which will last eight weeks. There is no third Time Out - it is a permanent ban. The purpose of a Time Out is to encourage you to seek the face-to-face help we cannot provide on this forum.

Please consider yourself warned!

Ann