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Question about PCR-DNA test

Here's the delimma.

I had an unprotected vaginal sexual exposure to an african american female who's possibly hiv++ from what I here in the neighborhood. Of course, I can't take everybodies word for gold, so I'll leave that one alone for now.

My question is, I took a 9 week hiv antibody test which came back negative, but earlier TODAY I also paid for a
PCR-DNA test to locate the virus itself.

The major question that I have is this....
I have herpes-2, and I also have been battling prostatitis as well. In the past, I also had a hernia which was surgically removed. Can any of these illnesses make my PCR-DNA test come out positive?

In other words, can an hiv PCR-DNA test detect herpes and other illnesses and mistake them for hiv, thus rendering a positive test result?
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Avatar universal
???
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I understand that now Teak, but what I'm asking is can any other illness cause an
hiv PCR DNA test to turn positive?

And also what are  the percentage of false positives on hiv PCR DNA test?

Thank you again
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Avatar universal
You don't use PCR-DNA tests for diagnostic use. They are monitoring tests for people known to be infected.
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Avatar universal
What is the percentage of false-positives with the PCR-DNA test?
And is there any other illness that can cause an hiv PCR DNA test to turn false-positive?

Thanks in advanced
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
PCR-DNA tests are not approved diagnostic tests and HAVE a history of FALSE POSITIVES.
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Avatar universal
You sound very intelligent, and I am quite pleased by your response and answer.(smile)

What about an autoimmune disease? Would that accidentally set off a false-positive in a PCR-DNA test?

And how often do PCR DNA test give off false positives?
For example:
1 in 10, 1 in 100, 1 in 1000, etc.?




Thank you in advanced
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
PCR is a highly developed molecular biology technique that is extremely specific for the target DNA, which in this case is HIV.  Speaking from a biologists standpoint, there is no way that herpes will be detected with the PCR test.  Don't worry about it.  With the exception of false positives, a PCR-DNA test will only come up positive if you are in fact infected.  
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