Dr Bob, Just when I thought I was in the clear, I got a positive rapid test today for HIV. It was clearview statpak and it showed a faint line next to T twice at the same clinic. To be honest I dont think this is from the exposure 6 months ago, Actually I was having a drink with a few friends and they were trying to convince me to believe that I am hiv- and to assure me we went to an asian massage parlour. Like a stupid man I had protected oral and vaginal sex again thinking it was no risk.... but I also had a couple of sores at the base of my genitals diagnosed as folliculitis by a dermatologist. The testing hospital took my blood for WB and I am also awaiting PCR test results.... 1. faint line on a rapid test is positive... right? 2. and a second one jus confirms it...?? -(praying and hoping against hope)

Hello,

A positive screening rapid HIV test is easily interpreted if a line develops at the "T." However, all positive rapid tests are only considered to be "preliminarily positive". They require a confirmatory test, such as the Western Blot (WB), before the test can be considered a "true positive". If someone has a positive rapid test and negative WB, this is considered to be a negative HIV test. (This happens quite frequently.)

If your only potential HIV exposure was "protected oral and vaginal sex," your HIV-acquisition risk would be essentially nonexistent, assuming the latex condom was used properly and did not break. Consequently, there is an excellent chance your Western Blot will be negative.

Good luck.

Dr. Bob