QuestionQUESTION: 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: Hi Lats,
I suggest you obtain a second opinion with a doctor that specializes in HIV/STDs. Have them take another blood sample and run another set of tests. If you truly have no risk factors it could be a mistake with the first test. If both sets of tests come back positive discuss with your doctor other possibilities of transmission (I suggest starting with the hospital procedures). Your husband may also want to get tested, especially if he has been at risk in the past (has he had a blood transfusion?).
Here is a list of national and state AIDS hotlines that can also help answer your questions: http://www.thebody.com/index/hotlines/state.html
I hope this helps. If you have further questions let me know.
-Mia
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QUESTION: Yesterday i had blood tested again for ELISA and it came out negative. Should i stop worrying. Because there are no possibilities i could think of.
ANSWER: Hi Lats,
The positive Western Blot form the first sample is a bit confusing, as false positives are extremely rare. However, if the negative ELISA is from a new blood sample, I think that your first test may have been contaminated in some way or resulted in a mix up at the lab. To be extra cautious, I am going to suggest you consider retesting in three months to be sure (but please check with your doctor to see if he/she thinks this is necessary). However, since you are at low-risk I don't think this should be a cause for concern for you or that you should continue to worry.
I hope this helps. If oyu have further questions let me know.
-Mia
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QUESTION: Dr.Mia,
My PCR results just came in and it says undetected.
Your suggestion kept me encouraged.
I thank you for your kind advice. Should i stop worrying?
AnswerHi Lats,
Those results are encouraging and confirm the negative ELISA. I think the chance that you are still positive despite those results and your risk level is extremely unlikely. You may want to have a discussion with your doctor next time you go in for a check-up, and certainly if you ever have any symptoms give your doctor a call. But I don't think you need to continue worrying about it.
I hope this helps. If you have further questions let me know.
-Mia
