Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Retest?

I had unprotected sex with a gentleman on December 7th, 2009. On February 17 I had blood drawn and sent out to a lab. They did the HIV 1/2 Elisa and the WB. All negative. They say the window is 3 months. Our activity lasted maybe.....two to three minutes. Very brief. I was lacking like 12 days of hitting the three month. Shall I re-test or move on? I have not been active since December 7th, 2009. Thank you for your help.
11 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Dr Hook did answer my question indeed. I picked up a copy of the test results and the Elisa 1/2 showed negative and then they ran a Reflex WB. I spoke to a specialist and I was told that depending on the lab that runs the tests...sometimes they will run a WB automatically. Either way my WB came back negative, not indeterminate. Now on the Elisa tests if it were to have been possitive, it would have stated possitive correct? Or would it have shown just numbers? Because there was nothing on my test results that stated the word "possitive". The test was done at 10.5 weeks. Just shy of 3 months. I am guessing that with the WB coming back negative I don't need any further testing. Lizzie thank you for your support. I know you hear people repeat themselves over and over again and it has got to get old, but if it weren't for people like you , Teak and all the others on here to share your educational background...what would we do?

Thanks again!
mommy
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Teak,
   Should I still be scared?
Helpful - 0
188761 tn?1584567620
COMMUNITY LEADER
You shouldn't be, you should only expect a negative at your 12 week test. I bet my house on it :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am a total basket case Mike. I want to thank you for everything and your time. You have been alot of help. To tell you the truth Mike.... I am still scared to death.
Helpful - 0
188761 tn?1584567620
COMMUNITY LEADER
1. A negative ELISA doesn't requires a WB confirmation since ELISA's are prone to false positive and not false negatives (Unless in the window period or on PEP)

2. Yes, a final test at the 12th week from the date of your exposure is required for a conclusive result. However, I promise, the result won't change ahead, a 10 weeks negative changing ahead is very very very unlikely.

3. Nonspecific reactions, hypergammaglobulinemia, or the presence of antibodies directed to other infectious agents that may be antigenically similar to HIV can produce false positive results. Autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus can also rarely cause false positive results.

Hope this helps.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
What causes a False Possitive?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
So the reflex wb confirmed my negative results right? Need to retest u think Mike?
Helpful - 0
188761 tn?1584567620
COMMUNITY LEADER
The purpose of the WB is to confirm the positive if it yields on an ELISA initially, it's to eliminate the scope of false positive on ELISA.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Do they not always do a backup test and what woulod be the purpose of the WB?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Dec 7th and Feb 17th that is really only 10 1/2 weeks.  3 months is the guideline but I highly doubt that your test result would change.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
MOVE ON. They don't do Western Blot tests on negative ELISA tests.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the HIV Prevention Community

Top HIV Answerers
366749 tn?1544695265
Karachi, Pakistan
370181 tn?1595629445
Arlington, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.