Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. I would like to know if it is possible that a person can have a negative on an Elisa test, (taken after 3 months of a risky contact) despite having some weird symptoms similar to HIV symptoms?
My second question: Can a torniquete on the arm for more than 1 minute when taking the blood sample for an HIV test give a false negative?
Is it possible that a person shows HIV symptoms after 2 months of the risky contact? In what cases?
Thank you very much.
Mark H. Katz, M.D.
Regional HIV/AIDS Physician Coordinator
Kaiser Permanente of Southern California
Three months after a risky exposure, a negative test is about as sure a way as there is to know one does not have HIV. There has never been any report I am aware of of tourniquet time affecting the result. And, it is possible for a person to experience symptoms 2 weeeks to several weeks after acquiring HIV; this is known as primary (or acute) HIV infection. But a person who does not have HIV who experiences symptoms after a high-risk exposure should remember that there are other sexually transmitted conditions besides HIV. These include syphilis, Chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis, and others--and you should speak to a provider about testing for these.
Good luck!
Mark Katz, MD
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