Question

Could I be still positive?

6 June 2008. Related: All topics, Opportunistic infections.

I think i may have been infected with HIV years ago. I currently have a disseminated MAC infection that is getting worse. The drugs seem to be not working. I tested negative for HIV a month ago. Could I still be HIV-positve, eventhough my recent test showed negative?

Answer

Answer: Simon Collins

The chance of being positive is very near zero. I would suggest you concentrate on the MAC infection. Perhaps they should check also for some autoimmune disease.

The recommendations for treating MAC are to include at least 2 drugs, one of which should be clarithromycin or azithromycin. Many doctors use ethambutol as the second drug, and that other second, third or fourth drug(s) include: rifabutin, rifampin, ciprofloxacin and amikacin. Due to a recent study, clofazimine (trade name Lamprene) is no longer recommended as a part of MAC treatment. The study found that poor survival was associated with adding clofazimine to MAC treatment. The recommendations do not support the use of isoniazid (INH) or pyrazinamide for MAC therapy. Clarithromycin (Biaxin) should never be used at dose higher than the approved dose of 500 mg twice a day.