Causes Of False Positive Stds

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Ask the Experts

False Postitive (FALSE POSITIVE TESTS, SENSITIVITY VERSUS SPECIFICITY, 2010)

I was tested a few months ago for HIV and other STDS. Everything was great except for my HIV test came back positive with the Elisa tests and my western blot was a negative. I came in a month later and retook the test and my elisa then came back...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hi,The assumption is completely accurate and correct. You can relax Max! Diagnostic HIV screening involves a two-part process. The first test (ELISA or rapid test) is extremely sensitive, so as not to miss any true HIV-positive cases. In fact,... Read more »

Do I Have a False Positive?

Hi Dr.I have just had a horrible experiance. About 2 weeks ago, I had a burning in my urine which... Read more »

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D. »

what cases false positives on eliza test? (FALSE POSITIVE)

I know that the Eliza tests can be falsely positive, but I havent been able to find out anything... Read more »

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D. »

Go to Ask the Experts »

Articles

Early Expiration May Be Cause of Unusually High False-Positive Rates on OraQuick Rapid HIV Tests, Study Finds

There's nothing like hearing the results of studies directly from those who actually conducted the research. In this interview, you'll meet one of these impressive HIV researchers and read her explanation of a study she presented at CROI 2009. After... Read more »

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Questions and Answers: False-Positive Oral Fluid Rapid HIV Tests

What is the significance of the reported increases in false positives when using the oral fluid HIV test in New York City sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics? It is important to keep in mind that overall oral fluid tests have performed well.... Read more »

San Francisco Clinics Getting High False-Positive Rate on Oral HIV Test

According to San Francisco Department of Public Health officials, analyses of more than 6,000 rapid-result oral HIV tests conducted in city public health clinics since spring found 47 positive results in patients who were negative in follow-up... Read more »

Overview of False-Positive Oral Fluid Rapid HIV Tests

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) describes "False-Positive Oral Fluid Rapid Tests, New York City 2005-2008" in the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control's (CDC's) June 18, 2008 Morbidity and Mortality... Read more »

Connect With Others

What things cause a false positive?

Posted by Anonymous

....on a rapid (oraquick) test?

Are their certain medical conditions, medicines, etc that cause these false positives???

Just wodering why they happen? Read more »

False Positive?

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

Does anyone know if marijuana could cause a false positive test result (specifically for an HIV DNA by PCR)? I smoked a lot about five days prior to my test. Also, I am on an antidepressant/anti-anxiety medication called Effexor (150 mg). Does... Read more »

Reasons for a false-positive?

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

I made an appointment to have a rapid test done tomorrow, but am not clear if it's the blood or saliva test. My question is: what are some of the factors that could possibly create a false-positive test, particularly for the oral test? I've had... Read more »

Question about false positive ........

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

Does anyone know whether physical illness or certain medication such as penicillin could result in a false positive? How accurate is the Elisa considering it only tests for antibodies rather than the actual virus? I'm considering getting tested... Read more »

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