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How Accurate Are Anti Body And Antigen HIV Tests?
Question: Dear doctore
I had a probable exposure to HIV at the end of January.In May itchy rashes showed on my trunk and arms which are still there(on my stomech era mostly,my back ,armpit)I had sore throat and fatigue and felt like catching cold but don't remember any sever fever.AFter that I had cramp in neck.Now I have bluish nails,fell numbness in my left arm and foot ,feel cold at nights and wake up in the middle of nights(some times because I feel it's hot).Also it is one week that my mouse is dry and have withe trash.
I had the test on 3 jun (anti body and antigen) that was negative.How accurate is the test?Is it possible that it is a false negative due all these symphton.
Thanks
I had a probable exposure to HIV at the end of January.In May itchy rashes showed on my trunk and arms which are still there(on my stomech era mostly,my back ,armpit)I had sore throat and fatigue and felt like catching cold but don't remember any sever fever.AFter that I had cramp in neck.Now I have bluish nails,fell numbness in my left arm and foot ,feel cold at nights and wake up in the middle of nights(some times because I feel it's hot).Also it is one week that my mouse is dry and have withe trash.
I had the test on 3 jun (anti body and antigen) that was negative.How accurate is the test?Is it possible that it is a false negative due all these symphton.
Thanks
Brief Answer:
Very Very rare false negatives nowadays. no worrie
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query,
It is important to be sure that you have not had any new exposure after the January exposure. This means no use of sharp objects shared with others, no unprotected sex. This is imperative in understanding and evaluating your case.
In case you have not had any new exposure after January, it would be very unlikely that this should HIV. The tests generally used today detect almost all of the time exposures of infections in persons that were infected within the last three months. If it were the case that you were infected then, then the test would have positive.
In case you had another risky sexual behavior thereafter after January, it might be useful for you to get the test done again within the next three months. If you never had any new exposure, you might not really have to worry.
IN case tests for antigens were done, it is very very very difficult you should have HIV. False negatives are extremely rare. I do not think you will have to worry.
It is important that other viral and bacterial infections could still present with flu like symptoms like the ones you just described. However, it is prudent to exclude HIV, which could be unlikely in your case, if you never had a second exposure.
False positives do exist, but nowadays are relatively rare. Other specific but more expensive tests exist to make a point diagnosis of the presence or absence of the virus. Polymerase Chain Reaction, PCR, is generally available. This would be in case you at all cost want to decide on the spot if you got HIV or not.
Dr Bain
Very Very rare false negatives nowadays. no worrie
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query,
It is important to be sure that you have not had any new exposure after the January exposure. This means no use of sharp objects shared with others, no unprotected sex. This is imperative in understanding and evaluating your case.
In case you have not had any new exposure after January, it would be very unlikely that this should HIV. The tests generally used today detect almost all of the time exposures of infections in persons that were infected within the last three months. If it were the case that you were infected then, then the test would have positive.
In case you had another risky sexual behavior thereafter after January, it might be useful for you to get the test done again within the next three months. If you never had any new exposure, you might not really have to worry.
IN case tests for antigens were done, it is very very very difficult you should have HIV. False negatives are extremely rare. I do not think you will have to worry.
It is important that other viral and bacterial infections could still present with flu like symptoms like the ones you just described. However, it is prudent to exclude HIV, which could be unlikely in your case, if you never had a second exposure.
False positives do exist, but nowadays are relatively rare. Other specific but more expensive tests exist to make a point diagnosis of the presence or absence of the virus. Polymerase Chain Reaction, PCR, is generally available. This would be in case you at all cost want to decide on the spot if you got HIV or not.
Dr Bain
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thanks for the answer.I did not have any risk after that.So since I have all these sympthons what would you suggest ?I know it is not possible to diagnose from Internet but could you advice me of possibility of other disses and which test to take first.
Also I have chest pain some times
Thanks
Also I have chest pain some times
Thanks
Brief Answer:
Clinical review, CBC, CrP,
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the update,
A complete blood count and C reactive protein measures could be done to rule out a bacterial infection. In case they suggest an infection, a chest X ray and blood cultures would be appropriate to identify the causative organisms and specific antibiotics that could be probably used.
Viral infections like infections could cause mononucleosis. A complete blood count and a peripheral blood smear would be very informative to your doctor to make an appropriate diagnosis. The complete blood count still remains an important orientation tool under these circumstances.
A complete clinical review with your doctor is fundamental in orienting specific tests and diagnostic possibilities. Thanks and kind regards.
Dr Bain
Clinical review, CBC, CrP,
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the update,
A complete blood count and C reactive protein measures could be done to rule out a bacterial infection. In case they suggest an infection, a chest X ray and blood cultures would be appropriate to identify the causative organisms and specific antibiotics that could be probably used.
Viral infections like infections could cause mononucleosis. A complete blood count and a peripheral blood smear would be very informative to your doctor to make an appropriate diagnosis. The complete blood count still remains an important orientation tool under these circumstances.
A complete clinical review with your doctor is fundamental in orienting specific tests and diagnostic possibilities. Thanks and kind regards.
Dr Bain
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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