False positive?

[cosmic5683]

So I used to donate plasma years ago. Like ten plus years. Anyway, I recently visited the same plasma center with my boyfriend in July of this year, 2024. Upon arrival and check in, I was told I was not allowed to donate as I had a positive hiv antibody test in November of 2013. This was absolute news to me, I’d never been notified of any of this. Anyway - the same week both my boyfriend and I had a rapid finger prick 4th gen test as well as a serum blood draw 4th generation test. All 4 tests were negative. I still felt uneasy about the results as I have had two kids since 2013 which I delivered vaginally and breastfeed. My biggest fear was giving them the virus unknowingly. I pulled my records from the hospital I attended during pregnancy, and low and behold had a negative hiv test in 2016. Mind you I have donated blood in 2018 and this year 2024 and had never been informed I was hiv positive. I also confirmed but this blood bank that they absolutely check every donation for hiv. By this point I’m having severe anxiety and possibly creating symptoms in my head that turned into physical presentation. I visited my pcp and she said my 2013 result must have been a false positive. To ease my worries she ordered an hiv 1 rna quantitative test and the results were undetected. This all occurred between July 11th and August 7th, 2024. I was advised to have a repeat test in a few months just to confirm again and ease my mind. On September 30, 2024 I had another 4th gen serum blood draw with a negative result. Is it safe to say these are conclusive? I guess my concern is this, after 11 years, would a 4th gen test continue to be positive? And wouldn’t my viral load be through the roof if I did indeed have the virus?

I worried because I had viral meningitis in 2015 and my ex husband (husband at the time) ended up with shingles in 2017. Both which can be related to hiv. He refuses to get tested for what reason I have no idea however is it safe to say these illnesses were just coincidences? Thank you.

[Jim Allen]

Hiya,

You had a reactive HIV antibody screening test in 2013 and were not notified, you have since retested and confirmed it was a false reactive.

False reactive results happen and often enough during screening, due to cross-reactivity to antigens/antibodies from other past or current infections, solution/buffer interactions etc, a reactive screening result isn't a diagnosis and simply means further testing is needed to exclude an HIV infection.

I guess my concern is this, after 11 years, would a 4th gen test continue to be positive?

Yes.

And wouldn’t my viral load be through the roof if I did indeed have the virus?

Not necessarily

Is it safe to say these are conclusive?

The results are conclusive unless you have had more recent potential exposures.

my boyfriend

Regarding the boyfriend, I'll mention the same thing I always do when someone says they are in a relationship:

If you engage in condomless sex with your partner, you are obviously at risk of acquiring HIV. In relationships, condomless sex is often based on trust or past test results; however, this does not prevent HIV, so if condomless sex does occur, you should consider testing more frequently & PrEP.

Here's what you need to know to reduce your HIV risks:
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse correctly and consistently, with no exceptions. Consider talking to your healthcare provider about PrEP as an additional layer of protection against HIV and get vaccinated against HPV, Hepatitis A & B.

Keep in mind that some sexual practices described as safe in terms of acquiring HIV still pose a risk for other easier-acquired STIs. So please do get tested at least yearly for STIs, including but not limited to HIV, and more frequently if condomless intercourse occurs.

Also, note that it is possible to have an STI and show no signs or symptoms; testing is the only way to know.

Kind regards

Jim

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[cosmic5683]

Thank you so much for such a quick response. My viral load test showed undetected. This is 11 years after the false reactive. However, I’ll continue with the negative, one of the 5 tests since 2013 would have had to be positive if I had it. That’s my theory lol.

[Jim Allen]

You're welcome.

The laboratory test results are conclusive, the 2013 screening test was just a false reactive.