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Ever a Need for Multiple Tests to Confirm?
Hi. I had a very informative and reassuring conversation with Dr. Hook on the Expert Forum recently (which you can review, it is titled "Partner tested Positive - I am negative at 6 weeks!") but I have one lingering question.
Is there ever a need to take multiple tests (ie different kind of test, or test kit made by different manufacturer) to verify/validate a negative result in a very high risk situation?
I was in a long-term relationship with someone who turned out to be HIV positive, so I had 100s of unprotected exposures over the course of 4 years.
I have tested NEGATIVE on the following tests, but my concern is they were all done at the same lab using the same test kit.
4th Generation Cobas HIV Combi PT made by Roche Company Germany. Detects HIV-1 P24 antigen and antibodies to HIV-1 (including type O) and HIV-2. Tests done in a very respected hospital in a Central American country.
1st Test: Immediately after finding out news about partner, only 5 days post-last-exposure. NEGATIVE
2nd Test: 25 days post-last-exposure. NEGATIVE
3rd Test: 41 days post-last-exposure. NEGATIVE
4th Test: 66 days post-last-exposure. NEGATIVE
5th Test: 89 days post-last-exposure. NEGATIVE (12 weeks, 5 days = 3 months). Done on the basis of CDC requirement and advice from this forum that NO test is conclusive prior to 12 weeks, although Dr. Hook said no further testing was required beyond the 3rd test.
My question is: Do I need to find another lab or another test kit to verify the negative result? Is there any chance of false negative results?
My pre-test probability for infection was very high, I'm just trying to understand. Is there some kind of explanation as to how I would be negative after this situation? Just chance? Low viral load of infected partner (even though not on treatment)? Possible D32 mutation in my genetic make-up?
Of course I am thrilled with my NEGATIVE test results, it just seems so unlikely to me I want to make sure I do everything I need to do make sure the result is true and valid.
Thank you so much.
Is there ever a need to take multiple tests (ie different kind of test, or test kit made by different manufacturer) to verify/validate a negative result in a very high risk situation?
I was in a long-term relationship with someone who turned out to be HIV positive, so I had 100s of unprotected exposures over the course of 4 years.
I have tested NEGATIVE on the following tests, but my concern is they were all done at the same lab using the same test kit.
4th Generation Cobas HIV Combi PT made by Roche Company Germany. Detects HIV-1 P24 antigen and antibodies to HIV-1 (including type O) and HIV-2. Tests done in a very respected hospital in a Central American country.
1st Test: Immediately after finding out news about partner, only 5 days post-last-exposure. NEGATIVE
2nd Test: 25 days post-last-exposure. NEGATIVE
3rd Test: 41 days post-last-exposure. NEGATIVE
4th Test: 66 days post-last-exposure. NEGATIVE
5th Test: 89 days post-last-exposure. NEGATIVE (12 weeks, 5 days = 3 months). Done on the basis of CDC requirement and advice from this forum that NO test is conclusive prior to 12 weeks, although Dr. Hook said no further testing was required beyond the 3rd test.
My question is: Do I need to find another lab or another test kit to verify the negative result? Is there any chance of false negative results?
My pre-test probability for infection was very high, I'm just trying to understand. Is there some kind of explanation as to how I would be negative after this situation? Just chance? Low viral load of infected partner (even though not on treatment)? Possible D32 mutation in my genetic make-up?
Of course I am thrilled with my NEGATIVE test results, it just seems so unlikely to me I want to make sure I do everything I need to do make sure the result is true and valid.
Thank you so much.
Special thanks all the way to Australia to you too RainLover. I appreciate your reassurances.
I regret having frustrated Dr. Hook on the Doctor's Forum. Anxiety was (is) clouding my judgment & reason, but both you and Teak have been so patient and reassuring in convincing me of the obvious most modern science based "black & white" test results. Thanks!
I regret having frustrated Dr. Hook on the Doctor's Forum. Anxiety was (is) clouding my judgment & reason, but both you and Teak have been so patient and reassuring in convincing me of the obvious most modern science based "black & white" test results. Thanks!
With all those negative results there is no way that you could possibly have HIV& those tests you had are the best & most accurate tests you can have.I think you are just one of those people that doesn't become easily infected once exposed to HIV.
"Not to protect anyone else, because I am negative". Got it!
I guess I want someone to say "You don't have HIV!" like they say to other posters, but I get it. I'm going to hang this up.
Thanks so much for your help, to me and to some many others out there.
I guess I want someone to say "You don't have HIV!" like they say to other posters, but I get it. I'm going to hang this up.
Thanks so much for your help, to me and to some many others out there.
Condoms to protect myself from infection going forward, right?
Not to protect anyone else, because I am negative. Or are you suggesting that perhaps I could put someone at risk because there is still some doubt as to my status?
Not to protect anyone else, because I am negative. Or are you suggesting that perhaps I could put someone at risk because there is still some doubt as to my status?
I'm trying so hard to move on, understand this situation and believe I am HIV Negative based on the science of the tests, the doctors expertise and your advice.
So the only way I could be positive at this point would be false negative results (which I understand simply do not occur in the 4th Gen tests) due to:
1. Lab Error - Highly unlikely as the lab has external quality control certification from the UK and the test has been done a total of 5 times.
Or
2. Test Detection Deficiency - Not likely as the Roche HIV Combi PT is licensed in the EU with 100% sensitivity, is comparable to all other 4th Gen tests in performance AND my infected partner tested positive on this same test at this same lab, indicating it does in fact detect this strain.
I have had absolutely NO further risks.
So, for all of the above, this is why everyone is telling me I don't need to try another test at another lab?
After such prolonged high risk, it just seems too simple, but that's why we test, level of risk does not affect test performance and I tested NEGATIVE.
There is nothing more I need to do? Just believe the results I already have and act confident that I am HIV Negative?
So the only way I could be positive at this point would be false negative results (which I understand simply do not occur in the 4th Gen tests) due to:
1. Lab Error - Highly unlikely as the lab has external quality control certification from the UK and the test has been done a total of 5 times.
Or
2. Test Detection Deficiency - Not likely as the Roche HIV Combi PT is licensed in the EU with 100% sensitivity, is comparable to all other 4th Gen tests in performance AND my infected partner tested positive on this same test at this same lab, indicating it does in fact detect this strain.
I have had absolutely NO further risks.
So, for all of the above, this is why everyone is telling me I don't need to try another test at another lab?
After such prolonged high risk, it just seems too simple, but that's why we test, level of risk does not affect test performance and I tested NEGATIVE.
There is nothing more I need to do? Just believe the results I already have and act confident that I am HIV Negative?
Yes i have every confident that your results are conclusive & reliable,1% of the population have an immune system that has the ability to prevent HIV infection,you might be one of those people.
Thanks for the reassurance RainLover71. So far fetched it's a "miracle", but you do have confidence my test results are valid?
Two local HIV specialists here have suggested I have a genetic mutation in which some of my cells do not have "receptors" that the HIV virus uses.
I'm just trying to figure out if I can trust my test results and go on confidently I don't have HIV. I try to remove the fact that I know my partner is infected, because otherwise, with an "unknown" status contact, I would not be doubting the test results, and the doctors say risk does not affect performance of the test, so with a negative should be a negative period.
Two local HIV specialists here have suggested I have a genetic mutation in which some of my cells do not have "receptors" that the HIV virus uses.
I'm just trying to figure out if I can trust my test results and go on confidently I don't have HIV. I try to remove the fact that I know my partner is infected, because otherwise, with an "unknown" status contact, I would not be doubting the test results, and the doctors say risk does not affect performance of the test, so with a negative should be a negative period.
Yes you can as long as you remain faithful to her--you should be known as the miracle man because 4 years of unprotected exposures with someone who had HIV and not contract it is incredible.
I know nobody here passes judgment on others, so I'm going to ask the question that is really holding me back.
Could I go back with my wife and confidently have unprotected sex with her without risking infecting her with HIV?
Could I go back with my wife and confidently have unprotected sex with her without risking infecting her with HIV?
Thanks for your comments and reassurances that my test results are fully conclusive and wholly believable without further testing.
Teak, to answer your questions:
My partner found out an ex-partner of his was positive, so he went to test and turned up positive himself. Their relationship was prior to our current relationship, more than 4 years ago, so presumably my partner has been positive this whole time without us knowing. When I started with my partner I saw he had recently tested negative, but this last relationship either occurred after that test or in the window period. I had no idea my partner was positive.
Yes RainLover, I agree, it's nothing short of a miracle, and that's exactly why I'm having such a hard time believing the negative test results. Can I believe them???
I have never seen anyone recommend trying a different test kit after a 12 week negative just to make sure their is no lab error or test deficiency, but that is what instinct tells me to do just to make sure. But you guys say NO, not needed? Are there ever false negatives with these new modern 4th generation tests?
They say risk does not affect the performance of the test - believe your test results. Do you agree? Can I move on confidently believing I am HIV negative?
Thanks so very much.
Teak, to answer your questions:
My partner found out an ex-partner of his was positive, so he went to test and turned up positive himself. Their relationship was prior to our current relationship, more than 4 years ago, so presumably my partner has been positive this whole time without us knowing. When I started with my partner I saw he had recently tested negative, but this last relationship either occurred after that test or in the window period. I had no idea my partner was positive.
Yes RainLover, I agree, it's nothing short of a miracle, and that's exactly why I'm having such a hard time believing the negative test results. Can I believe them???
I have never seen anyone recommend trying a different test kit after a 12 week negative just to make sure their is no lab error or test deficiency, but that is what instinct tells me to do just to make sure. But you guys say NO, not needed? Are there ever false negatives with these new modern 4th generation tests?
They say risk does not affect the performance of the test - believe your test results. Do you agree? Can I move on confidently believing I am HIV negative?
Thanks so very much.
1. Did he know when his partner was infected?
2. Did he know before having sex with his partner that he was HIV positive?
3. Did his partner find out he was positive during their relationship?
2. Did he know before having sex with his partner that he was HIV positive?
3. Did his partner find out he was positive during their relationship?
Hundreds of unprotected exposure over the course of 4 years--that's more than luck,that's a miracle.
I would not say that it is a classic example. It was luck that they never got infected.
This is a classic example of how hard it really is to contract HIV but nevertheless always use protection.This post should be used as an example to posters that come here with no risk situations,I'm sure it would help their anxiety--thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the quick response Teak. Yes, I had 100s of unprotected exposures with a now confirmed positive partner over the course of 4 years.
Regardless, you say these results are conclusive? No need to find another test to validate? No chance of a false negative?
I should have added, my infected partner tested positive on this same test at this same lab, so presumably this particular test kit does in fact pick-up the infection he has (and I would have if infected).
Nothing more I need to do? I can be confident I am negative?
Thanks so much.
Regardless, you say these results are conclusive? No need to find another test to validate? No chance of a false negative?
I should have added, my infected partner tested positive on this same test at this same lab, so presumably this particular test kit does in fact pick-up the infection he has (and I would have if infected).
Nothing more I need to do? I can be confident I am negative?
Thanks so much.
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