Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. If the ELISA is positive and the Western Blot is negative, can I be sure I'm not HIV positive?
Mark H. Katz, M.D.
Regional HIV/AIDS Physician Coordinator
Kaiser Permanente of Southern California
This is the classical situation where you are indeed not
officially HIV-positive--BUT--the ELISA may turn positive before
the Western blot. Thus, most experts would recommend retesting
after a few weeks. There are many conditions which can cause
false-positive ELISA tests (one of them being pregnancy!). You
should discuss with your doctor whether or not you have one of
them. If you do not, and if you have engaged in high risk
activity for acquiring HIV, then you should be especially mindful
of retesting.
Good luck!
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