[Question #12766] HIV PCR and COVID

5 months ago

Hi doctors,

I took an HIV PCR RNA test today, a few weeks after my last sexual encounter, and me and a family member just happened to be sick at the same time. I also picked up COVID tests from the pharmacy and we both tested positive for COVID. What are the chances my HIV PCR RNA through LabCorp will return a false positive? Is this something to be concerned with? Getting conflicting answers from AI and doctor google…

Thanks!

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

5 months ago

Welcome back to the forum. Thanks for your continued confidence in our services.

It seems you've tested again on account of the exposure you asked a couple of months ago. It was zero risk for HIV and the RNA test done back then confirmed you had not acquired HIV. You can expect your new test to also remain negative. False positive results can occur, but they are rare and there is no reason to suppose you might have a positive result this time. When you get the negative result, it will be conclusive. However, the small possibility of a false positive result is exactly the reason that HIV testing should not be done in absence of real risk. Why take the chance when it's already certain you aren't infected?

Anyway, should you have a positive result, you can let us know at that time. I hope these comments are helpful in the meantime.

HHH, MD

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5 months ago

Thank you, Dr. Handsfield. I should have clarified, this was after a new exposure but admittedly one that probably didn’t warrant testing. Based on your response, I’m assuming an HIV PCR test can detect a false positive from acute COVID. What should be my course of action if that’s the case? I’m going to presume I’ll have results in 2-3 days based on my prior experience.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

5 months ago

There are reports that covid increases the chance of false positive HIV PCR test results, but all indications are that this is very rare. If you have a positive result, the automatic result in many or most labs is to undertake confirmatory tests. You likely would be informed it is falsely positive at the same time you receive the result.---
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5 months ago

Okay- thank you! I will let post the results once I get them.

5 months ago

My result was negative despite acute COVID. Thanks doctor, for the guidance and insights!

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

5 months ago

Glad to hear this, but of course not surprised, since the large majority of HIV tests done during covid are entirely accurate; false positives are rare. In any case all is well -- thanks for the thanks, I'm glad to have helped!---