Donna Sweet, M.D.Professor of Internal Medicine
University of Kansas School of Medicine - Wichita
Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. Hi Doc,
Exposed October 19. Had eight-week rash, some sporadic cold
symptoms. Couple of cold sores. Panic-driven ELISA test seven weeks later (couldn't wait 'til
eight). Negative.
Follow-up at doctor's suggestion 12 weeks from exposure. Lab doesn't run ELISA, but runs Western Blot. Negative.
I'm trying to understand the relationship between ELISA and Western Blot. Is the latter more accurate? Or does testing negative on Western Blot at 12 weeks require a follow-up ELISA? I know I have to go back in at 6 months for a follow-up...but can I sleep easier? Why, if Western Blot is more accurate, do they not automatically run that test instead of ELISA?
Many thanks.
Donna Sweet, M.D.
Professor of Internal Medicine
University of Kansas School of Medicine - Wichita
The followup in doing only the Western Blot was a little unusual in procedure, but it is clearly negative.
There should be a final ELISA at 6 months.
The ELISA is a more sensitive test but has a higher false positive rate. The Western Blot is much more specific in nature and is generally done as a confirming test. There are more false negatives with the Western blot.
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