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AIDS/False positive HIV test

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Expert: Kristen Brannock, MPH - 4/13/2008


Question
MY prenatal HIV at 6 weeks came back negative, then when I was routinely checked again at delivery my HIV came back either positive or undeterminable. The Western blot was negative thank God. My son's doctor told us that this was "common" I am a labor nurse and have never heard of this occurring. Does this really happen alot and do I need to get retested for any reason?
Thank you

Answer
I don't do HIV testing so I do not know how common a false positive is on the ELISA. I have read that false positives can be caused by antibodies to viruses other than HIV, antibodies produced by pregnancy, and other medical conditions such as recent acute illnesses, influenza vaccinations and allergies. I do know that the Western Blot is the confirmatory test and you are only given an HIV diagnosis if both tests are positive. The ELISA is not as sensitive as the Western Blot so I do not think that you need to test again.

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Kristen Brannock, MPH

Expertise

I can answer questions concerning HIV infection and AIDS. This includes ways it can and cannot be transmitted, how it is treated, how it affects the body and methods to protect yourself. I can also answer questions concerning safer sex and contraception.

Experience

I trained with the Red Cross to become an HIV/AIDS counselor and was a member of CARES- Carolina AIDS Resource Education Service in college. I have an MPH in Health Behavior and Health Education and conduct research in the field of HIV prevention. I also take continuing education courses in HIV/STI prevention periodically.

Education/Credentials
Master of Public Health Health Behavior and Health Education UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health (formerly UNC-CH School of Public Health)

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