Can A Cold Virus Cause A False Positive For An RNA HIV Test?

Posted on Tue, 18 Feb 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 18 Feb 2014 Answered on

Wed, 12 Mar 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Can a cold virus, or any virus for that matter, cause a false positive for an RNA HIV test? I haven't taken the test yet, but I plan on taking it today. Should I continue with the test as scheduled? Or should I wait until the potential virus runs its course?

Answered by Dr. Roopa Hiremath (8 hours later)

Brief Answer: Virus interactions with HIV Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX I understand your concern if any virus may interact and give a false positive result for HIV RNA test. My answer is unlikely... HIV RNA is detected by a test called PCR (Polymerase Chain reaction) which is a very specific test targeted to detect a specific sequence of DNA or RNA. It can detect up to 10 nanogram of DNA or RNA. So there is no possibility of any viral interaction occurring during the test process as the HIV RNA test detects only HIV RNA and no other viral RNA. Moreover, the test is targeted to detect specific sequences found only in HIV RNA. I suggest you take the test as scheduled. I hope I have cleared your doubts. Please let me know if I can assist you further. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad