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Subject: Indeterminate HIV Test
Approximately 16 years ago, I received a letter from my local blood bank informing me that I could no longer donate blood because the HIV test done on my last donation, 2 years before had been indeterminate for HIV. Since then, I have faithfully gotten HIV test done, but always with the same result. I have had several doctors tell me that if none of the test have since been positive for HIV, I have nothing to worry about. It is “something” in your blood that causes this result they tell me. When asked if this something can be sexually transmitted, the answer is always a no. Other than a 9 1/2 pound ovarian cyst, since removed, I have been healthy as a horse. My girlfriend is scared that I can give her that “something”. Since she has tested negative for HIV, she wants proof that I can’t give her that “something” thru sex, or that i’m HIV negative. Help!!!!! My future with my girlfriend depends on this.
Thanks….
Hi,
An indeterminate HIV antibody test could mean that the initial screening ELISA test is positive and the confirmatory test (usually a Western blot test) is neither truly positive nor truly negative. In some cases, this is associated with a recent HIV infection and a subsequent test will be positive. Most of the time, however, this is not indicative of anything, and a repeat test may be still indeterminate or may revert to negative. If it continues to saty indeterminate in follow-up testing (usually over 3 months or more), you are medically considered to be HIV negative. The key is in the coherence of results in repeat testing.
Be well
Dr. Gian