Hello.  Yesterday I took an Oraquick test.  I take these ever so often to check my status.  For the most part I believe I am very careful.  Yesterday, I took a test around 9:30 am and the results came back with one line on the T and a faint broken line at the C area.  As you can imagine I freaked out.  In the last year I have only had 3 unprotected encounters.  The most recent was a 45 year old white woman with 4 kids.  I know there is no way to profile but that seems to be a low risk person.  I went and took two more tests that day.  The second was about an hour later.  It came back negative.  No faint lines.  Just pure negative.  The third test was about 6 hours later.  It was also negative.  Also no faint lines.  What are your thoughts?  

Welcome to the Forum.  The OraQuick tests are sometimes problematic.  Like all tests, both false positive and falsely negative results occur.  The fact that your two repeat tests were negative is evidence that the initial test result was falsely positive.  At the same, I understand that the result is worrisome.  I would urge you to get a lab based 4th generation test tomorrow to reassure yourself that the result of your first test is falsely positive.  Depending on your location, you may be able to find a laboratory that can provide you with same day results.---

Would love to submit a follow up question but can’t think of what else to ask honestly.  However, do you think that 2 negative tests versus the first one should give me comfort?  Also could the faint line mean it picked up something besides HIV?

I understand your situation.  I wanted to provide a better explanation than "bad luck" but that is likely what is operative.  I will mention that there are data that the false positive rate appears to go up somewhat as the OraQuick tests approach their expiration data but there aren't good data or as to how often.---

With that I am out….Happy Thanksgiving sir!