I was training staff on an oraquick test by self demonstration.  To my surprise, it was positive.  I did have something to eat, drink in the last 30 min. and there was a lot of saliva.  I was shocked.  I then took 3 more.  All negative.  My risk was what I consider low giving oral sex to a guy that says he is tested annually and only engages in oral sex, i am too a guy.  This occured 38 days ago.  12 days after that event I saw my PCP for a regular check up, told him about it and because my insurance is good did a standard HIV antibody (along with annual battery of routine tests) and an HIV PCR.  All negative. I called the oraquick number and they told me that too much saliva can produce false positve tests.  Yet, everything I see about Oraquick indicates false positives are rare.  I took a 4th generation HIV antibody blood test from Quest Diagnostics today and should get results in the next day or so.  So my questions:

1. what is the frequency of false positives?

2. Can I dismiss the first Oraquick test as too much saliva and the other three I took immeidately there after that were negative as that I am really negative?

3. Given the low risk oral sex i preformed, a PCR tests 12 days post that event, 3 negative oraquick....does this cancel out my one postive?  

4. Do you feel confident my antibody test will be negative?  If so, can I put this behind me?  It will have bee 38 days post any event that could have remotely been a risk.  

thank you,

Sorry to hear of your false positive result on the oral fluids test. I understand how alarming that must have been. However, that three subsequent Oraquicks were negative strongly suggested the initial result indeed was false. More importantly, the negative PCR test 12 days after your last potential exposure proves it. And I agree that exposure was extremely low risk anyway, even if your oral sex partner had untreated HIV. (The risk for performing unprotected oral sex is estimated to be around one in 10,000, which is equivalent to giving BJs to infected partners once daily for 27 years before infection might be expected). 

2,3. I am unaware of data that "too much saliva" explains false positive results. But as I said above, that three more tests were negative plus the negative PCR prove the first result was false.

4. Today's AgAb (4th generation) blood test undoubtedly will be negative as well. Although it can take up to 6 weeks for the AgAb test to become positive, almost always it's positive within 4 weeks. And as I said, the PCR was conclusive by itself.

You can be sure you don't have HIV. Do your best to stay relaxed as you wait for the latest test result.

I hope these comments are helpful. Relax and enjoy the remainder of the holidays!

HHH, MD

Doctor,

I just noticed your response as I was typing additional information.  Thank you so much for the speedy response.  Maybe this is the first thing lucky that happened to me today.  I will let you know the results when they come in.  I assume my additional comments doesnt change your assessment.  Thank you again.