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What Does Non-reactive Result In A HIV Test Report Indicate?

Posted on Mon, 1 Dec 2014

Question: Doctor on october 6th I had hiv exposure. I test HIV 1+2 ELISA on 31st October and 6th November . Both tests result was mentioned as non-reactivate. But in both test shows different values. In first test it's mentioned as (sample absorbance :0. 069 and cutt of value :0. 506). In second elisa test it's mentioned (absorbance ratio :0. 331, Ratio <0. 9:non-reactivate and Ratio >0. 9 :reactivate ). I have also done HIV RNA PCR on 31st October (QUANTITATIVE VIRAL LOAD )NOT DETECTED (<100IU/ml). I am unable to know my results. Unfortunately my doctor is outstation. Please help me.Please tell how far safe I am.

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (38 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Negative for HIV .Needs retest after 3 months.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for query.I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query.
RNA PCR is negative .it is sensitive > 99% for HIV -1 .You are almost negative for HIV1..But it does not detect HIV 2. HIV 2 is rare and you need not worry.
So you may need to go for Elisa for antibodies after 3 months of exposure to relive your anxiety.
The Elisa titres varies with a physiological variation or technical variation.You need not think of minor variation in reading. Negative implies negative.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh Basti
Dermatologist and venereologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (10 minutes later)

Hello doctor according to you how far safe I am now. Also what is chance for false result on HIV RNA PCR test. I have read on internet that 75 percent people will show positive in HIV ELISA TEST within one month. Is there any truth in it.

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (37 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
False negativity by pcr is less.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
RNA pcr is >99% sure for HIV1. It is most unlikely for hiv1 to come positive later.HIV 2 is very rare.
Antibodies take 2 weeks to 3 months to be formed hence best after 3 months. Elisa is test for antibody detection. So allay fears .
We cannot be sure of Elisa for at least 3 months.
Get tested for Elisa after 3 months to allay fears.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh Basti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (8 minutes later)

Thank you doctor your answer was good relief to me. HIV RNA PCR (QUANTITATIVE VIRAL LOAD )NOT DETECTED(<100IU/ML)IS mentioned in my result. Doctor I am confused why result is not mentioned as negative. I hope that I am safe

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are safe.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
RNA pcr is a test to detect virus RNA material hence it suggests not detected.So do not get anxious.
It means negative for HIV.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh Basti

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar