[Question #8927] Follow up on earlier question #7101

38 months ago

Hello doctors, I’m returning to the site because I have been experiencing a range of chronic issues over the last few months post covid infection. I won’t go into details regarding my symptoms but am working through diagnostic tests with my doctor.

Unfortunately this has re-raised anxiety fears about the cause possibly being related to HIV progression.

Recall in my earlier correspondence (#7101), I’d tested falsely positive for HIV in ELISA tests, but followed up with negative Western Blots - resulting in a negative HIV diagnosis.

Since this time I tested once more in November 2020 (22 months post exposure) due to ongoing anxiety. It was at a different clinic and I was informed that this time the initial ELISA screening was negative (and hence no need for W blot follow up this time. Can I be 100% sure that this latest result is not a false negative (based solely on the initial exposure back in Jan 2019 I previously listed?

Thanks

Edward W. Hook M.D.

38 months ago

Welcome back from the form. I’m sorry that your false positive HIV ELISA experience continues to trouble you although I certainly can understand why if you are having unexplained symptoms you may be worried. Despite that, I urge you do you have confidence in your negative HIV tests. As long as you do not test again with the test which gave you your false positive result, repeat testing would only verify that you did not acquire HIV. Truthfully, I see no reason for additional HIV testing.

I’m pleased to hear that you are working with your own physician the sort out the origin of your continuing symptoms. Please be confident they are not due to HIV. EWH

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37 months ago

Thanks again Doctor Hook.

Can you please provide clarification on whether my tests would look for HIV-2 (the less common strain)? I’m reading conflicting advice online….

Thanks

Edward W. Hook M.D.

37 months ago

Certainly. Your tests will prove that you did not have HIV-2 either. Current tests test for HIV-1 antigen NAD antibody but only HIV-2 antibody. As a result, while tests are absolutely conclusive for HIV-1 6 weeks follwing an exposure, tests for HIV-2 take a little longer, up to 8 weeks to provide definitive results.

I should add that your risk for HIV-2 is miniscule. Here in the U.S. there are fewer than 50 new cases of HIV-2 a year and those occur almost entirely in persons who are, or their sex partners are, from West Africa or India.

Please done worry. Believe your test results. EWH

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37 months ago

Thanks again doctor. I am continuing to work with a therapist to help manage this phobia