Question
I have had 24 negative HIV tests in a year do you still think I have HIV?
27 September 2010. Related: All topics, HIV testing, HIV transmission.
Having taken 24 HIV tests over a 12 month period your assistance is needed. I experienced hot sweats, weight loss and a white tongue after having a condom break during sex. I have taken 24 HIV tests many of which were well passed the 3 month and 6 month windows. My tongue still has the white coating thus tests have continued. Please advise if antibodies can form late (after 12 months) and what are your thoughts on PCR test vs antibody tests which I have been taking. Thanks for your help
Answer
Thank you for your question.
This is an excessive use of HIV tests and indicates a clinical preoccupation with this worry that you needs to speak to your doctor about.
Having 24 negative HIV tests shows that you do not have HIV. Two tests would have been enough.
It is not possible that you have HIV and it is not picked up on any of these tests regardless of the type of test and especially if they were after 3 months. Most people make antibodies before after about 6 weeks with a small percentage taking up to 3 months.
For more information on the different tests please follow this link.
Your symptoms are not a result of HIV. Please see your doctor and explain to him/her about the symptoms you are experiencing so they can investigate further what is causing these symptoms. You may also want to seek some professional counselling if you have had 24 negative tests in a 12 month period and you are still thinking you have HIV.
All of my test have been via Lab Corp’s ICMA antibody test. Are your familar with the ICMA antibody test. If so, any information you have would a appreciated . I was told by request a test that the ICMA process is better than the ELISA test. ….. Having a white coating on my tongue and having gone through profuse night sweats and weight lost really has caused HIV to stay on my mind despite the many negative test. I keep thinking the test are false negatives even though it has been 13 months of testing.
Thanks for your timely reply and help.
You do not need another HIV test. A Western blot test will give you the same result and is no more accurate than any other tests. The symptoms you describe are not related to HIV infection so they should not be stopping you believing the test results. If your anxiety about HIV continues and you are not able to believe all the tests then maybe you should think about some professional counselling to help you come to terms with being HIV negative?
Yes, I gave into testing and took another anibody test via Lab corp. Fortunatly, the test was negative again. I must admit, at this point I don’t know what to do or to believe. All of the test have been negative yet the white coating on my tongue continues & white flakes on my skin as welll. With many HIV test stating negative results over a 13 month period of time I will try to stand on the test and move on if possible.
NOTE: It was suggested that I take a western blot test to get to the bottom of this matter. What are your thoughts with respect taking a western blot test to determine if HIV is present oppose to another antibody test? ( or stop testing completely)
Thanks greatly for your help/directions.
Good idea!
Thanks for your reply. I took my last antibody test on NOV 15 and it was negative. This test was at the 13 month mark. Having taken so many test with negative results despite what my body is doing (white coating on tongue,etc ) keeps this testing going. Seeing that the test are super sensitive and accurate I willl thank GOD for the negative results and move on with living. Note I took a PCR DNA test on OCT 25 and it was negative. I was told that the PCR test are super sensitive / accurate and would have detected HIV if it was present. I ‘m scheduled to take another antibody test this week however having taken so many I may just cancel the test and move on.
On very rare occasions antibody production can be slightly delayed but not enough that an infection would not be picked up in 24 tests over 1 year.
Thanks for your input and direction. I have one final qusetion regard the 24 tests, can other factors delay antibodies from appearing?
24 negative test will definitely rule out HIV. They are good tests and 24 is a lot. The symptoms are not HIV-related. You need to see your doctor if they have been going on for this long and let them investigate what is causing them. Best wishes.
ARE THE HIV TEST THAT GOOD THAT YOU CAN RULE OUT HIV? 24 TEST OUTSIDE THE WINDOW PERIOD SEEMS EXTREME HOWEVER CAN OTHER FACTORS DELAY ANTIBODIES FROM APPEARING?THE SYMPTONS (NIHGT SWEATS, WHITE TONGUE) ARE REAL AND HAVE BEEN PRESENT FOR MONTHS NOW. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP