Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Can I Be HIV Positive Due To Sensitivity Of P24 Antigen Screening Even Though Several Reports Showed Negative?
Hello .. I am a 27 year old healthy female. In 2011 I got my annual blood work done and to my surprise my HIV test came back indeterminate. This being because of the p24 was positive for antigens. I'm not too familiar with all these blood results, so I am sorry if some of the terminology is incorrect. Before the assistant took my blood for the HIV test in the office she gave me my 3rd dose of the Gardasil vaccine and then immediately drew my blood for the HIV test(which I found to be odd because it has antibodies in the vaccine). Since then I have had about 7 or 8 test done with all negative results. I have a new GYN and she wants to put me through all the testing again and I'm a bit scared all over again. Even though she just tested me 5 days ago and had negative results she doesn't seemed convinced. I have read that the p24 is extremely sensitive and can easily be thrown off. I truly believe my blood work was effected due to the vaccine given and blood work drawn immediately after. Please reassure me with all my negative results within the past 3 years that this was all a mix up and due to sensitivity of p24 antigen screening !
Thank you
Extremely Concerned Healthy 27 year old
Thank you
Extremely Concerned Healthy 27 year old
Tue, 18 Mar 2014
Hello and welcome back,
Please do not worry as the test was positive just once and rest all have come negative.
The p24 is an antigen found in HIV and if this is positive it indicates the virus is in the body. However every test has a margin of error. We cannot say if it was the vaccine that caused it. Vaccines contain antigens and not antibodies. They cause the antibodies to develop.
If you had an infection, by now antibodies to it must have developed and they are easy to detect. So after so many years it is wise to get a ELISA and western blot for ruling out HIV. If these two are negative, please do not indulge in these tests unless you are having high risk behavior for HIV like multiple sexual partners, drug abuse or symptoms like repeated infections, weight loss, low grade fever etc.
I hope this helped.
Thanks for asking us.
Have a good day.
Dr Nilajkumar Bagde
Consultant Obstetrics and Gynecology
Please do not worry as the test was positive just once and rest all have come negative.
The p24 is an antigen found in HIV and if this is positive it indicates the virus is in the body. However every test has a margin of error. We cannot say if it was the vaccine that caused it. Vaccines contain antigens and not antibodies. They cause the antibodies to develop.
If you had an infection, by now antibodies to it must have developed and they are easy to detect. So after so many years it is wise to get a ELISA and western blot for ruling out HIV. If these two are negative, please do not indulge in these tests unless you are having high risk behavior for HIV like multiple sexual partners, drug abuse or symptoms like repeated infections, weight loss, low grade fever etc.
I hope this helped.
Thanks for asking us.
Have a good day.
Dr Nilajkumar Bagde
Consultant Obstetrics and Gynecology
I find this answer helpful
Note: Get personalized answers to your HIV related queries You can choose to talk face to face with your doctor. Book a Video Call now.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Measureable fever
Loading Online Doctors....