POZ Community Forums

HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: Ace2404 on September 27, 2007, 01:53:30 pm

Title: Question about Inderterminate test result
Post by: Ace2404 on September 27, 2007, 01:53:30 pm
Hello all.  I have a question about a test result I got about a year ago.  I am a hetero male and only have done vaginal sex.  I had a few unproteced incidents here and there and just decided I wanted to get checked out for all STD's including HIV. I was not having any symptoms that caused me to go (that I can remember) but just wanted to get checked since I did have sex unprotected (3-4 girls) since my test before this one about a year before. All my tests were negative except for the HIV test which came back "Inderterminate" It was a mouth swab test and took about 2 weeks for the results (not sure the name of it). The nurse called me on the phone and told me the results. At first I said what do you mean indeterminate and she said it was not a positive or negative. I asked should I be worried and she said not to worry about it and it was somewhat normal. So I just dropped the thought and moved on. (This was about a year and a few months ago)  Well about a month ago I had protected sex with this girl (not protected when she gave me a BJ which lasted about a minute or less, but protected when we actually had intercourse), and even though it was protected I asked her if she was clean and told me yes but turns out that she was not and I ended up with Gonnorrhea and Chlymedia. I know it was from her because before this I had not had sex in about 8 months and had no symptoms, but about a week after this incident I had symptoms of an STD and went and got checked and sure enough. So I got really worried thinking how do I know if she does or does not have HIV if she lied about being clean? So I got a HIV test yesterday, since it is about the 30 day mark, and am now waiting for the results. I started looking on the net for HIV symptoms and what are the chances of transmission and that is when I came across "Indeterminate" test results and really got freaked out.  Turns out I should have been retested and I think (???) it could be a big deal.  I am sorry for this long drawn out post, but I just got really freaked out with this last incident when I got those STD's and then completly terrified when I started reading about "Indeterminate" results. I also just want to explain my sexual past because I don't know how much of a difference it makes as far as times. So now I am filled with all kind of questions.  What exactly does an inderterminate oral swab test result mean?  What are the chances of getting infected if this last girl was positive, even though I had a condom on except for the brief oral?  Could I have been positive for some time now, and not know it (no symptoms whats so ever)?  Again sorry for this long post, but I just can't stop thinking about it and won't get my tests back for another week, so I just need some answers now to try and help clear my mind. Thanks in advance and this is a great site with lots of info. 
Title: Re: Question about Inderterminate test result
Post by: Ann on September 27, 2007, 02:03:48 pm
Ace,

For a start, you need to know that it is really offensive to refer to a person's sexual health status as "clean". It implies that those of us who are hiv positive are dirty. I can assure you I shower every day.

The nurse who told you your test result was indeterminate should have had you come back for further testing, as an indeterminate result does not tell you your hiv status one way or the other.

As for your latest incident, while it is possible to end up with a bacterial STI (as you did) while using condoms, you will not have become infected with hiv while using them. Condoms have been proven to prevent hiv infection.

Getting a blowjob with or without a condom is not a risk for hiv infection at all.

So, you need to test, not because of your latest encounter, but because you've had unprotected intercourse in the past and never followed up your indeterminate result with further testing.

As your last incident was protected, you can test now and have a conclusive hiv result.

Ann
Title: Re: Question about Inderterminate test result
Post by: Andy Velez on September 27, 2007, 02:09:37 pm
Receiving unprotected oral is not a risk for HIV transmission. There's never been a confirmed case of transmission in this manner and it's safe to say you won't make history by becoming the first.

Any number of reasons can result in an indeterminate test result. You're right. You ought to have re-tested and whomever you spoke to at the time was neglectful in not tell you that. HIV is not an easy virus to transmit. It's significantly more difficult to transmit from female to male. So the odds are in your favor that you're going to test negative. You're long past the waiting period of 13 weeks past and you can test for a reliable result anytime after 13 weeks from the most recent unprotected incident.

Having had intercourse recently is not an issue since you were wearing a condom. The fact that you picked up a couple of other STDs doesn't change the effectiveness of the protection the condom afforded you against HIV transmission. So you are cool as far as HIV is concerned in relation to that incident.

Overall I must say you can't just use a condom when it's convenient or you feel like it. You can have all the sex you want and with whomever you want to as long as you consistently use a condom everytime for intercourse. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Lastly, you used the term "clean" in reference to someone's status re STDS and HIV. That's considered very rude. One is either infected with something or not and it has nothing to do with being clean or dirty. So if you want to ask someone their status regarding HIV or STDs then do so, but leave off using an offensive term such as "dirty."

Good luck with your test result.

Title: Re: Question about Inderterminate test result
Post by: Ace2404 on September 27, 2007, 02:30:10 pm
Thanks for the quick replies Ann and Andy!  Your right, I should have not used the word "clean". That is offensive and just not right.  I truley appologize for my ignorant terminology  :(  I really appreciate the info about the condom use.

Do you guys have any more info or some link to where I can read more about Inderterminate oral swabs?  I tried looking around the net but come up with lots of different info that all seem to have different meanings.  I did come accross an article that said a previous blood transfussion could cause it even if the donor blood was negative, but does not say how long after the transmission it applies (like 6 months or for life).  I did have a blood transfussion due to a motorcycle accident where they put in 4 units of donor blood in 2004 and this test was in 2006. Is that a possibility? Again thanks for the quick responses.
Title: Re: Question about Inderterminate test result
Post by: Ann on September 27, 2007, 04:33:59 pm
Ace,

There are many, many different things that can cause indeterminate results, including the test simply not being done correctly. The only thing for it is to re-test, which you have already done. Keep yourself productively busy - OFF the internet - and the time will go much more quickly.

Ann
Title: Re: Question about Inderterminate test result
Post by: Andy Velez on September 27, 2007, 04:34:21 pm
I don't see that a blood transfusion two years previously would still be affecting your test result in 2006.

The bottom line in all of this is that you did have an incident that was unprotected and you've never had a clear test result since then. So how about trying to get an answer some other way when the ONLY way to know your status reliably is by having another HIV test. Cut the frabberjabber and go get yourself tested.

Good luck and keep us posted.