[Question #7739] Follow up question indeterminate hiv test
51 months ago
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
51 months ago
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Many experts
feel that to call the tests which differentiate HIV-1 infections from HIV-2
infections should not be called “5th generation tests” since they do
not change the time-related sensitivity of detection but rather differentiate
HIV-1 infections from HIV-2. Here in the
U.S. more than 99.9% of all HIV infections are caused by HIV-1 and the few
(typically less than 50 HIV-2 infections which are diagnosed are diagnosed in
persons who have traveled to or had sex partners who have been in India or West
Africa. In your case, the chances that
you have HIV-2 are virtually zero. The
reasons for this are abundant and include:
1.
Your exposures
are low risk. HIV-2 is more difficult to
transmit that HIV-1 and the risk of acquisition of HIV from performing oral sex
on an infected, untreated partner is less than 1 in 12,000.
2.
Your partners
did not share the characteristics of persons in whom HIV-2 is found on those
occasions when it is diagnosed.
3.
Since your
test, you have had multiple additional tests which would have detected
antibodies to HIV-2 had you been infected- all are negative and by now you
certainly would have developed antibodies to infection.
4.
The numerical
value of your solitary positive test is low, in the range where false positive
typically fall while true infections typically have far higher values
I agree with
your PMD. This is NOT HIV-2, or HIV of
any sort. In our past interaction I
suggested you stay off the internet, something that has proven hard to do. I encourage you once again to do that. I see no medical reason for concern of any
sort and no scientific reason for further testing. I sincerely hope that this reassurance will
help you to move forward. EWH
51 months ago
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
51 months ago
|