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Ask the Experts about Mental Health and HIV
P24 antigen
Sep 7, 2008
I was tested April 07 for HIV, the test came back with all strands neg but the p24 * indeterminate. I was tested again and the test was postive on every strand so the lab spun down the blood and retested where it was -/+ indeterminate for a second time. I was Later tested in Dec 07 and recieved the same results -/+ interemindate with no other activity on the other strands. According to the scale -/+ is indertminate,1 is low positive and 2 is high positive. I also had a viral load done in May 07 which was neg. The P24 is the only thing I am concerned about. I can't sleep at night nor do I want to have sex with my boyfriend and is causing problems between us. I've read all the signs and sym. and can relate with all of them but I know everyone can, I live extremely tired but I work nights. I also have Alopica which is an auto immune disorder that causes me to lose my hair. I have had other HIV test done in the past but I don't know if every test scans for P24, Between my First and last HIV test it was an 7 month time period. HELPPPPPPPP!!! I worry myself sick everyday over this!
Response from Dr. Horwath
Some people have reactivity to 1 protein, such as p24, even though they are not infected by HIV. The definition of a positive reaction on the Western blot test is having a reaction to 2 or more proteins found in HIV. There have been reports that some people with autoimmune disorders occasionally have a false-positive reaction on the Western blot. Your autoimmune disorder may explain the positive reaction to p24.
In general, if you have the same indeterminate result 7 months apart, as you did, this is considered evidence against HIV infection. For a person who gets an indeterminate result early after HIV infection, a positive result (not an indeterminate result) on Western blot would be expected if repeated after several months.
The other factor to consider, of course, is whether you have engaged in any high risk activity that may have exposed you to HIV. If not, then this indeterminate test is clearly not an indication of HIV infection.
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