After an unprotected exposure with a man about 6 months ago (im female) i got tested last week with an hiv antibody only test. The test came back negative, so great news. 

Then i noticed that there was something else mentioned in the lab report. It says 'light hemolytic serum'. Would this have any effect on the  correctness of my hiv antibody only test? Am i still conclusively hiv negative?

Thank you for answering me, 

Moni

Congratulations on your negative HIV test result. FYI, you didn't need wait so long: the standard HIV blood tests used today (called antigen-antibody or AgAb tests, also called "4th generation", "combo", or "duo" tests) are conclusive by 6 weeks after exposure. In event of a future need for test, you certainly don't need to stay nervous for six months!

Mild hemolysis is quite common in blood specimens, usually related to details about how the specimen is drawn or handled afterward (e.g. shaken, dropped, etc). It has no effect on the large majority of lab tests, and no known effect on reliability of the HIV blood tests. Also, my understanding is that many (most? all?) clinical laboratories reject the specimen if hemolysis is severe enough to interfere with the intended test. In that case, the lab would have contacted you or your doctor's office to request a new specimen.

You can google "hemolyzed blood specimen" to find several pertinent websites. The bottom line is that you needn't be at all worried about the reliability of your test result.

Thank you so much for answering my question.

I know i didn't have to wait that long, but i used the time to get over my fear of needles :). It was a difficult blood draw, so i assume that is where the light hemolytic serum came from.

In my country (western European) it is more common to use an antibody only test (third generation, i guess). Can i conclude that my hiv antibody only test is still conclusively negative, even with the light hemolytic serum? Sorry for repeating myself but im pretty anxious about it. 

Thanks again for your answer,

moni

The third generation antibody tests take slightly longer than AgAb tests, but the results are conclusive after 8 weeks. Try not to be anxious at all -- for sure you don't have HIV (assuming no more recent exposures you haven't mentioned).

Nope, no more recent exposures. 

Since english isnt my mother tongue, i sometimes don't understand how things are meant. So im going to ask again, to ease my anxiety and understand better. Am i conclusively hiv negative with my negative hiv antibody only test, at 6 months after exposure, even if the test was done with light hemolytic serum? 

Thanks,

Moni

That concludes this thread. I hope the discussion has been helpful. Thanks again for your confidence in the forum.