Question:

I tested indeterminate on a test a few weeks ago. I was told that "indeterminate" could mean that I am seroconverting or that I may have another autoimmune disease. I do plan to get tested again in a few weeks, which would be about 3 months from my most recent sexual encounter.

I experienced flu-like symptoms about two weeks after that encounter. Based on that, I understand that my chances of testing positive are quite high (correct?). What percentage of people who test "indeterminate" test positive when they get tested again?

My second question has to do with my symptoms. Ever since I had the flu-like symptoms about 10 weeks ago (diarrhea, fatigue, some nausea, small white rash around my ankles and knuckles), I've had enlarged lymph nodes on both sides of my neck, am experiencing headaches daily, and feel fatigued (I used to exercise quite a bit but now tire very quickly/easily). Is it characteristic of persons recently infected to experience these lingering symptoms? I am wondering if this might be characteristic of some other type of autoimmune disease. I've been tested for mono (negative), had a CBC (white blood cells were OK), had a chest x-ray (OK) and also went to an ear/nose/throat specialist (he didn't find anything wrong). He did ask me if I work around or have been exposed to chemicals, and the only thing that I can think of is that I was a chronic user of amyl nitrite ("poppers") for the past 1 1/2 years. Could this abuse have caused some sort of autoimmune disease?
Thank you very much.

Answer provided by:

Thank you for writing. When you suspect that you might have been exposed to HIV, it can be a very anxiety prone period, and I hope I can help you.

All medical tests, from HIV to measuring your weight and height have some margin of error. I'm not sure why you might have had an "indeterminate" result, but my first reaction to a test that bothers me is just to re-test now. I would not wait for three months. I would also discuss with my doctor getting a PCR test. If you are acutely infected, the information could be useful.

An "Indeterminate" test does not make me think of autoimmune diseases.

"Acute HIV Seroconversion Illness" does produce flu-like syndromes. The symptoms are not specific, and when combined with clinical history, might be suggestive of HIV infection, but I would certainly require a test before making the diagnosis. While HIV could cause some of the symptoms you describe, so could any number of things, so, all by itself, that clinical history isn't very useful.

Amyl nitrate use is not correlated with false positive HIV tests. It may not be good for the immune system, but it doesn't cause problems with HIV tests, nor does it have any role in causing HIV disease.

If I were you, I would consult an HIV specialist in your area, and get tested again, before you lose any sleep.

I hope this helps.

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