Expert: Gorkey Gourab - 1/17/2009

Question
QUESTION: I am 30 years old female. I am married.  In July 2008 i had Gastrointestinal problems (inflammation in intestine (now it is cured) and i was admitted in the hospital. They did series of blood work.One of it was HIV-2.When they discharged me the hiv result was still pending. In November doctor called and told me i am testing positive for HIV. He wanted me to do western blot confirmaton.  In Western blot too it came out positive.  My question is though i am married so far in my life i have never had any sex (not even oral)due to my vaginismus (we never tried).  I have never had operations, blood transfusions, drugs etc. Me and my husband are faithful partners. Both of us have never had sex in our life.  I remember doctor saying when he did biopsy during endoscopy that i have T antibodies in excess. Now i have given my sample for PCR testing.  I was really shocked because i don't have eposure to sex or anything we say that spread through it. I shouod state that i have never had high fever or any symptoms they say for HIV. Those results are stressing us out.  We are waiting for PCR result.Do you think i am HIV positive.  


ANSWER: Having unprotected sex is one of the major routs of HIV transmission. So is unsafe blood transfusion. Now there are other possibilities as well:

1. There are few incidents where individuals became infected in healthcare settings. One may become infected with HIV by being stuck with needles containing HIV-infected blood. A very few have become infected by HIV-infected blood getting into the health-care worker's bloodstream through an open cut or splashes into a mucous membrane (e.g. eyes or the inside of the nose) .

2. One can become infected through tattooing or piercing. If the equipment is not sterile, having a tattoo done could carry a very risk, though very small.

Did you consider these?

Now as you have gone through a number of tests (including Western Blot; and now looking from PCR results), there is a possibility. You can also go through ELISA at the same time to have conclusive results.

I am always here. Let me know if I can help you further.

Sorry for the delay.

Sincere regards,
Gorkey

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Gorkey,
Thank you for your reply. As you said i have no tattoo or piercing.  There are no possibilities of needles too. I was admitted in the hospital early august and that when they tested.  They announced the result in the November. They did PCR in fresh blood sample and results is negative. Last monday again i took ELISA from fresh sample and it was Negative.

Answer
Hello Lats,

Sometimes HIV PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test more accurate than the HIV antibody ELISA and HIV antibody Western blot tests. Antigen/antibody tests are also reliable (the false-positive rate is 1 to 5 per 100,000 assays). It is also recommended to conduct the later tests (after six months). So far, as the PCR and ELISA results are negative, you can take this as conclusive.

Have a nice day. Best wishes.

Regards,
Gorkey.