Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
|
|
 |  |
 |
 |
Indeterminate DNA-PCR Test (Qual)
Jan 3, 2002
My DNA-PCR test was taken approx. 4 weeks after possible exposure. The result was "Indeterminate". The lab ran the test twice and the same result occured. I have basically concluded that I'm "positive", believing the virus hasn't kicked in yet. Any outside chance some other factor/s contributed to this "Indeterminate" result? Many thanks for your consideration.
|
 |
|
 |
|
Response from Dr. Pavia
You certainly should not conclude yet that you are infected. All PCR methods can give false positive tests, which is why we do not diagnose HIV infection on a single positive HIV PCR. More importantly, you don't even have a positive test. You have an indeterminate test, which simply means no accurate determination can be made. At this point, one might do an antibody test, since it is likely to be positive, and couple it with an RNA PCR which gives a quantitative readout. Only viral loads of greater that 5,000 to 10,000 are reasonable to diagnose accute infection.
Hang in there, and don't jump to conclusions until the testing is done.
ATP
|
|
|
 Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this
forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible
for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.
Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this
forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or
edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their
messages.
Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as
legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a
health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.
Copyright notice.
|
|
|
|
