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Ask the Experts about General Treatment Strategies

 

ELLISA TEST SHOWS NEGATIVE AFTER ONE YEAR.
Feb 20, 1998

DEAR DOCTOR GALLANT AFTER A POSSIBLE CONTACT ONE YEAR BACK FOR THE FOURTH TIME THE ELLISA TEST SHOWS NEGATIVE . IS IT ESSENTIAL TO CONFIRM THIS WITH WEESTERN BLOT . W.B.TEESTING FACILITY IS NOT REEADILY AVAILABLE IN TOWN . I AM PERTURBED BY FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS FOR THE LAST ONE YEAR . 1)FATIGUE . 2)PAIN IN KNEES . 3) NIGHT PEERPIRATION . 4) LOW FEVER ETC. REGARDS JJ

Response from Dr. Gallant

No, it is neither customary nor necessary to confirm a negative ELISA with Western blot. You only need to confirm the positives.

(Why do so many people who are freaked out about HIV write in all caps. . . ever noticed that?) JG



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