Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. I am 8 weeks pregnant and had normal blood work done 2 weeks ago. I had to go the doctor today and they told me that I tested positive for HIV on the Elisa Test, but my Western Blot is negative. No antibodies were present. This is my 4th child, I have been married for 6 years and neither of us has had sex outside the marriage. I was extremely sick the week before I found out I was pregnant. I think it was the flu or a virus of sorts. My doctor seems to think everything is okay, but I am going to an ID doctor for more bloodwork. I am terrified, although I don't see how I could be HIV positive. The results of my current bloodwork say biologic false positive. What does this mean?
Ross Slotten, M.D.
Klein and Slotten Medical Associates
Private Practice in Family Medicine
With a special interest in HIV disease
I agree with your physician that your test is probably not a true positive test. And from what you tell me, it seems extremely unlikely that you have been exposed to HIV.
The HIV test is a sensitive test, meaning that it is more likely to have false positive results than false negative ones. It is comforting to know that the Western Blot part of the test is negative; if that was also positive, then we can say with confidence that you were infected with HIV. The infectious disease specialist will probably recommend repeating your HIV test in a few weeks. By that time, someone truly infected would have both a positive ELISA test and Western Blot test. He or she may also check a so-called viral load test--that is, check to see if one can find the virus in your blood. I am sure that will be negative in your case.
Many years ago, in Illinois, the state I practice in, an HIV test was mandated in order for a couple to obtain a marriage license. Some twenty women had positive ELISA tests but negative Western blot tests which, as you can imagine, created havoc in these women's lives. Since that time, the requirement has been revoked.
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