Hello,
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com
I can understand your concern.
You have taken a number of tests following the first test, which is understandable. Since, at the end of 6 months, the tests are negative, the first test was definitely a false positive. Yes, you took so many tests, and they definitely show that there is no sign of HIV in your serum, so you can trust the tests.
Regarding your lymph nodes, if they are enlarged at various sites, you need to get it physically examined by a physician and get blood tests done such as CBC with ESR. This will indicate any active infection.
Yes, you can take the last tests as conclusive negative.
Feel free to discuss further,
Regards.
Patient replied :
What is your opinion on the RT-PCR-RNA test <20 copies at 5 months?
The tests at 6 months were the home oraquick oral fluid test. What do you think about this test?
Besides the 4th generation antigen antibody test, HIV RNA test is one of the most sensitive test used, and the RNA is the first viral product found in human serum. Since it was negative at the end of 6 months, you need not worry.
Also, the Oraquick test is sensitive, but the 4th generation and the RNA tests are more specific.
Regards.
Patient replied :
Thanks for your answers.
What causes false positives? Does the first positive number (1.45) means that it was a low positive? Im glad that all the other tests were negative. I was very depress and with a lots of stress with this situation. I took the Oraquick ORal test 3 times during the six months period so I make sure there were no false negatives.
1) Have you seen people that are positive HIV, not in treatment and with a NEGATIVE <20 copies/ml RT-PCR-RNA test? Can I trust this test?
2) What is your experience with the Oraquick Oral Test? Can I trust this test?
Thanks
Hello,
Yes you can trust the other tests.
The first one was an isolated false positive, must be some kind of error in reporting in the lab.
As I mentioned, RT-PCR-RNA is very sensitive, so you can definitely trust this test.
Oraquick though not as sensitive as RT-PCR-RNA, it is 95 % sensitive, so repeated negative tests confirm you do not have the disease.
Regards.
Patient replied :
Ok. THanks.
Just for your information. A week and half before I took the first test (first false positive) I was in vacation in Dominican Republic and I eate something that got me some kind of bad bacteria because I have this crhonic diarrheas for almost 4 days.
You never answered my question above; here is again.
1) Have you seen people that are positive HIV, not in treatment and with a NEGATIVE <20 copies/ml RT-PCR-RNA test? This test was taken at 5 months and not 6 month.
Thanks
Hello,
The very fact that your RT-PCR-RNA test is negative at the end of 6 months, completely rules out HIV. In you case the first test was an error, and such errors are highly uncommon.
In my practise, I have never come across a case like that, but there have been false positives.
Please do not worry. I can assure you, that the RNA test is the most specific and it being negatives, rules out HIV completely.
Hope this was helpful,
Regards.