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
How Long After Having Unprotected Sex Will Western Blot Test Give Positive Result?
Hi, may I answer your health queries right now ? Please type your query here... recently got tested for hiv. The ELA test came back reactive but the Western blot test came back indeterminate. I've been with this person for 5 months now I think its him that gave it to me. The way the doctors explained it that there were antibodies found. Does that mean it was a recent exposure? I got tested when I was 20 in 2007, and it came back negative. After that I slept with 4 people from 2007 to january, 19, 2010..so my question is, if I was infected by one of those 4 people from 2007, and now..would the test definitely have come back fully positive with no indeterminate issues? Since my results came back the way they did..does that mean my recent partner exposed me? because if I contracted it before him then it would have 3,4 years to develope right?
Mon, 17 Nov 2014
Hello. Thanks for writing to us at healthcaremagic
A person with an indeterminate western blot (WB) test should be retested in a month as later tests may be more conclusive.
Almost all HIV infected individuals with an indeterminate test result may develop a positive result if tested in one month.
So, if it was a past exposure that lead to HIV, you should have been positive by Western Blot.
One reason for indeterminate test can be that either you got the virus from your current partner and have low antibody levels and therefore can take a repeat test in a month Or if the WB test stays indeterminate or becomes negative, it is most likely to be a non-specific reaction.
If I was the treating doctor I would have suggested you to go for an alternative blood test such as Viral load determination to resolve this issue.
Regards
A person with an indeterminate western blot (WB) test should be retested in a month as later tests may be more conclusive.
Almost all HIV infected individuals with an indeterminate test result may develop a positive result if tested in one month.
So, if it was a past exposure that lead to HIV, you should have been positive by Western Blot.
One reason for indeterminate test can be that either you got the virus from your current partner and have low antibody levels and therefore can take a repeat test in a month Or if the WB test stays indeterminate or becomes negative, it is most likely to be a non-specific reaction.
If I was the treating doctor I would have suggested you to go for an alternative blood test such as Viral load determination to resolve this issue.
Regards
I find this answer helpful
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 HIV
Loading Online Doctors....