Can Viral Infection Alter Hiv Test Results

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Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange

HIV Viral Load Testing

As a person with HIV, having your viral load tested will likely be an importantpart of your plan to stay healthy. You will have the test done regularly,and it will be one of several factorsyou and your doctor will look at whendeciding how to manage your infection. This brochure introduces you tothe viral load test and answers basicquestions about how it fits into yourtreatment plan. What is the viral load test? A viral load test measures...

Ask the Experts

Does antibiotic or an infection alter CD4 and viral load results?

Dear Dr. Mark HolodniyI have been positive since an year and am not on medications. My CD4 values over one year has evolved as 474(23%),477(24%),575(25.5%) and 495(21%). Respective viral load values have been 794,5500,1500,3600. CD8 has been sort of...

Response from Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C.

Stanford University, School of Medicine

Antibiotics will not affect the result. An acute infection can affect the CD4 count. Given the prior consistent numbers, it is likely that on repeat your numbers will be back to baseline.... Read more »

hiv test results altered by use of acyclovir to treat primary hsv outbreak?

i had oral vaginal sex using a condom with a csw. first and only time, not that it matters.12 days after, i've been diagnosed with hsv (type yet to be determined) and given acyclovir (800mg 4x day) to limit outbreak.my risk for hsv was low, but...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello.This probably shouldn't come as a revelation to you, but I can assure you absolutely everyone who needs an HIV test "would like to know sooner"! HIV PCR DNA qualitative tests are not FDA-approved for HIV diagnosis and not... Read more »

Undetectable Viral Load Infection and Superinfection (FINDINGS SUGGEST HIV CAN BE TRANSMITTED FROM MSM WITH UNDETECTABLE VIRAL LOAD 2009) (SUPERINFECTION, 2009)

Thanks for your comments and information about the possibility that people with undetectable viral might be able to infect HIV negative people and contribute to HIV superinfection, but is there any research revealing the actual numbers of such...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hi,No, we do not have reliable information as to how often this phenomenon occurs. As you can probably imagine it is quite challenging to conclusively prove that a particular strain of HIV was transmitted to an already infected individual. This... Read more »

Viral Meningitis, HIV, and confusing test results "confused"

My girlfriend was admitted to hospital with viral meningitis , subsequently through blood tests was found to be hiv positive, she was tested again and negative, now we are both awaiting results. Now, because of the menengitis, the doctor says if we...

Response from Erik Glenn, M.A.

Chicago Black Gay Mens Caucus

Thanks for your question,Sounds like you're in the middle of the (retesting) period.. This can be a somewhat stressful time, but you both are doing what you need to in order to find your answers. A full risk assessment and finishing testing... Read more »

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Can ecstasy hinder HIV test results ?

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

Hi there. I was just wondering if taking drugs like ecstasy or cocaine a few weeks before testing can affect the results in any way ? Also, I read somewhere that ecstasy use lowers the immune system, so could this cause any problems when testing ? Read more »

Viral culture test for hiv. gmanbill?

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

Can anyone tell me if having a viral culture is a good idea,
for finding hiv.ive already had dna,bdna,pcr,antibodys,antigen.

Read more »

The Failure of Viral Load Tests

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

The Failure of Viral Load Tests
JAMA Study Shakes AIDS Science, Angers HIV Advocates

A nationwide team of orthodox AIDS researchers led by doctors Benigno Rodriguez and Michael Lederman of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland are disputing the... Read more »

another ?--viral load testing

Posted by anxious, 1 Reply

following my pre-seminal fluid post, i was just wondering about the viral load test. i think its the "pcr" test you guys keep referring to on here. well, being as anxious as i am for a result... what are the stats on this test? how conclusive is... Read more »

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