How To Detect HIV In Pregnancy?

Posted on Mon, 14 Jul 2014

Question: Hi there,
I am 15 weeks pregnant and tested negative for HIV through quest diagnostics. Can I trust my HIV negative result from quest diagnostics? My last potential exposure to the virus was years ago, so I understand that I am well outside of the window for testing, but I am just having trouble moving on and accepting that I am actually negative. Are the chances of a lab/sample mix up negligible or a possibility? It could all just be hormones making me crazy, but some reassurance would be great right now.

Answered by Dr. Sridhar Reddy (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Very unlikely. Stay calm.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM!

This is Dr. Sridhar and I shall be answering your question.

Well, first of all, I'd like you to be calm and relaxed. With your HIV test coming negative, there's absolutely no reason why you should be worried.
Being anxious and tensed is not good for your health as well as your baby's health.

Now, Quest diagnostics is a well recognized health laboratory and it is very unlikely that there was a mix up.
When it comes to crucial tests such as HIV or HbsAg (hepatitis), all labs take great amount of precaution and care.

I'd be able to explain and convince you better if you can tell me what the potential exposure was? (If you are comfortable to tell).

Also, just for your sake, if you are really that worried, I'd suggest you to investigate your blood once again. A second negative test would surely lay to rest all your fears and anxiety.

Just stay calm and think of all the good time that you will be having once your baby is delivered.

Hope I've answered your query. Feel free to ask if you have any doubt.
If not, you may close the discussion and rate my answer.

Wishing you a healthy and successful pregnancy.
With regards,
Dr. Sridhar

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Sridhar Reddy (13 minutes later)

Thank you so much for the reply. My potential exposure would've been from an ex boyfriend I date for 1.5 years almost 9 years ago. I knew he was a serious alcoholic and dabbled in other drugs, a liar and verbally abusive, but had no evidence that he was bisexual or used intravenous drugs. My paranoia, however, crept up unexpectedly after finding out I was pregnant ("what if he used to have sex with men and I never knew?") Because it was so long ago, it also made me nervous that if I was diagnosed positive, it would be too late to treat.

I would like to avoid getting retested because the process itself was so stressful for me. I really just would like to move on.

Answered by Dr. Sridhar Reddy (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
A lot less likely now.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
Thank you for telling me about the exposure.

Since this happened almost 8-9 years ago and the test has come negative now, you can be sure that you don't have the disease.

Also, studies have shown that the risk of transmission of HIV from sexual contact is between 0.5% to 3.5%. So what it means is even if there is a remote possibility that your boyfriend was HIV positive, there' a even more remote chance that the disease passed on.

And with the test coming negative, you can be totally relaxed.

If you are satisfied with the answer, you may close the discussion and rate my answer.

Wish you good health and a good life ahead.

With regards,
Dr. Sridhar

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj