Question
I had a negative and a positive test result for HIV – which is it?
19 May 2010. Related: All topics, HIV testing, HIV transmission.
I have an ‘inconclusive’ positive p24 antigen test and a negative RNA PCR test after 18 days of a suspected infection. I also had low-grade fever for two days at the time of testing, which continues now for 3 weeks.
I am going to repeat my test soon but I’ve been wondering what my chances are. Both p24 antigen and RNA PCR tests seems to be very specific to me, so I don’t know if there is much hope.
Answer
Thank you for your question.
It is impossible to say which one of these results is the correct one at this stage. The PCR RNA tests are generally less accurate than the p24 test. The p24 test is usually accurate 3-4 weeks after a possible exposure to HIV. I’m afraid the only way you can know is by waiting for the second test to be done.
Please don’t lose hope. If your second test results are negative then there are ways in which you can protect yourself to ensure that you remain HIV negative. However, if your second test results are positive then there are very good treatments now available which will give you a good quality of life and a near normal life expectancy.
For more information on HIV tests please follow this link