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hiv/aids
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nate20 posted:
My question is this. I was possibly exposed to hiv 13 years ago. I didn't get tested until recently. I tested negative. My concern is though since i waited so long to get tested can i trust the results of my hiv test to be accurate?
6 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:hiv/aidsMy question is this. I was possibly exposed to hiv 13 years ago. I didn't get tested until recently. I tested negative. My concern is though since i waited so long to get tested can i trust the results of my hiv test to be accurate?
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georgiagail responded:
Yes. Screening tests check for antibodies the immune system begins to release after transmission has taken place.

Those antibodies are always present in an infected individual UNLESS they are at the end stage of the disease (i.e., AIDS) when the immune system might be so severely damaged it could no longer produce antibodies to fight infections.

However, by then, there would be other, far more serious and obvious signs of the disease (i.e., severe weight loss, diarrhea, pneumonia, thrush, etc.).

Gail
Report This| Share this:hiv/aidsYes. Screening tests check for antibodies the immune system begins to release after transmission has taken place.<br /><br />Those antibodies are always present in an infected individual UNLESS they are at the end stage of the disease (i.e., AIDS) when the immune system might be so severely damaged it could no longer produce antibodies to fight infections.<br /> <br />However, by then, there would be other, far more serious and obvious signs of the disease (i.e., severe weight loss, diarrhea, pneumonia, thrush, etc.).<br /><br />Gail
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nate20 replied to georgiagail's response:
I do have problems with diarrhea and i do have a low white blood cell count. I dont know if i should stop worrying or continue to go to the doctor.
Report This| Share this:hiv/aidsI do have problems with diarrhea and i do have a low white blood cell count. I dont know if i should stop worrying or continue to go to the doctor.
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georgiagail replied to nate20's response:
Your diarrhea and low while blood cell count have nothing to do with HIV. Your test results have clearly shown that your status is negative.

A screening test is considered to be both conclusive and definitive if taken at least 3 months after a potential exposure. I'd say a test taken 13 years after one would certainly be accurate!

Gail
Report This| Share this:hiv/aidsYour diarrhea and low while blood cell count have nothing to do with HIV. Your test results have clearly shown that your status is negative.<br /> <br />A screening test is considered to be both conclusive and definitive if taken at least 3 months after a potential exposure. I'd say a test taken 13 years after one would certainly be accurate!<br /><br />Gail
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brock40 replied to georgiagail's response:
That makes no sense. Both diarrhea and low white blood cell count can be hiv related. And you even said that your body may no longer produce antibodies resulting in a false negative which means that you have hiv but the test couldnt detect it.
Report This| Share this:hiv/aidsThat makes no sense. Both diarrhea and low white blood cell count can be hiv related. And you even said that your body may no longer produce antibodies resulting in a false negative which means that you have hiv but the test couldnt detect it.
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georgiagail replied to brock40's response:
What I said was that in end stage AIDS the immune system is so damaged that it may no longer be able to produce antibodies.

What I also said was that by that time you would have other very, very severe symptoms such as extreme weight loss, pneumonia, thrush, and many other severe infections.

Do you have those?

Gail
Report This| Share this:hiv/aidsWhat I said was that in end stage AIDS the immune system is so damaged that it may no longer be able to produce antibodies.<br /> <br />What I also said was that by that time you would have other very, very severe symptoms such as extreme weight loss, pneumonia, thrush, and many other severe infections. <br /> <br />Do you have those?<br /> <br />Gail
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georgiagail replied to georgiagail's response:
Some of the other causes for low white blood cell count:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/low-white-blood-cell-count/MY00162/DSECTION=causes

Gail
Report This| Share this:hiv/aidsSome of the other causes for low white blood cell count:<br /> <br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/low-white-blood-cell-count/MY00162/DSECTION=causes">http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/low-white-blood-cell-count/MY00162/DSECTION=causes</a> <br /> <br />Gail
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