Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Mark H. Katz, M.D.
Regional HIV/AIDS Physician Coordinator
Kaiser Permanente of Southern California
Question: Basically, I tested negative at 12 weeks and 7 months after a potential oral sex exposure (I sucked). Now at 15 months I went to our local blood bank to get another test. (It was not a blood donation just a test sample)
They used an ELISA to test for antibodies to HIV-1 and 2 and also a NAT (Nucleic Acid Test) to check for actual HIV RNA in the blood.
All tests came back negative. My questions are as follows:
Q. Can I considered this an actual HIV test?
A. Yes, you have received a standard test for detection of antibodies to HIV.
Q. What is the difference between a screening test and a diagnostic test?
A. Functionally, they are the same, and the same test is done. When the blood banks do it, they call it "screening," and most of the time when another health care setting does it, they call it "diagnostic." The diagnostic test known as the HIV antibody test is indeed a screening test.
Q. What are the chances that both the ELISA and NAT test were done incorrectly?
A. Virtually nil. You do not have HIV infection, at least at the time of this test being done.
Good luck and thanks for your kind words about our website!
Mark Katz, MD
050314
ASKD050320
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