Understanding HIV Test Results After Plasma Donation: A Medical Explanation

Question
Hello,

Just a quick question. After giving plasma in 2004, I got a letter in the mail saying the doctors needed to talj to me. They said my test came back as HIV pos. After doing the Western Blot on that test, It came back negative. Ever since then, I have gotten the HIV -1/2/0 AB tests twice a year, Makining that roughly 16 tests since then, all came back negative. Is it safe to say that im clear??

Answer
The HIV screen test is very sensitive, but not specific... that means it picks up almost everyone but is positive in some people that don't have HIV.   The Western Blot is the confirming test.... if that is negative, then you don't have it..... I would have said that you are OK after your first Western Blot.... no need for further testing but you can't donate plasma anymore.......