I went and get tested and the result are reactive for HIV1&2 antibody to be confirmed?
Question:
Blot method. Cannot rule possibility of a flase positive reaction
Answers:
I live in Canada and when anyone is tested for HIV the blood sample is tested first using the ELISA test. If that is negative, it is considered proof of HIV- status. If it is positive or indeterminate then it is immediately tested using the confirmatory Western Blot test.
When a person gets their results it will show the ELISA and (if done) the Western Blot.
This prevents "freaking out" the patient unecessarily.
It is common for ELISA tests to have false positives (that is actually the purpose of the test!). The ELISA test looks for HIV antigens OR anything that is similar to an HIV antigen.
This way it is rare for an HIV+ person to be given a false negative result and limits the expense of testing using the Western Blot unecessarily as it is more expensive than the ELISA test.
In my opinion, with what clinicians know about HIV testing, and with the limited knowledge of the public, it is unethical to give the results of the ELISA test before completing the Western Blot.
What is your question then?
What you had first was a screening. The other tests are confirmation. First tests you had done may be false positive. Try not to worry until you know the new test results. Good luck, darlin'.
It means that you tested positive, but you will have to take western blot to confirm rather or not you have HIV. It doen't mean that you have it. Other conditions can cause you to have a false positive. Try not to worry and good luck.
More Questions & Answers...