HIV ANTIBODY TEST: POSITIVE RESULT
Test results can show no antibodies to HIV (a negative result) or enough antibodies to indicate a positive result for HIV. However, there may also be some reactivity on this test but not enough to indicate infection. There are two possible explanations: a person may be newly infected but not yet have formed a full panel of antibody, or a person may not be infected. These partially reactive Western blot results are referred to as indeterminate. A repeat test a few months after the first test will help distinguish between the two scenarios. If a person is newly infected and shows an indeterminate Western blot result, then eventually he or she should show a true positive result on the test. If the test is reactive for some other reason, then it may show indeterminate pattern indefinitely or swing back and forth between a negative result and an indeterminate result. These results are sometimes confusing, even to health care providers, so make sure you receive an explanation of any test results. Clinics that perform many HIV tests (either STD clinics or health department STD clinics or health department STD enough to you.
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