Can COVID-19 antibodies cause false HIV reactive results?

Question

Hello doctor,

I just want to inquire about my condition. I had an HIV screening test four months back, and the result was ‘reactive.’ After waiting for two weeks for the confirmation test, the results showed ‘non-reactive.’ But recently, this month, I had to retake the HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) screening test for work, and the results were ‘reactive’ once more. So again, I have to wait for confirmatory testing.

I had no sexual contact in any form, I do not have tattoos, and my only contact with needles is through medical tests (not drugs). Upon reading articles online, I saw that COVID-19 antibodies can sometimes cross-react with HIV antibodies. I tested positive for COVID-19 four months ago. Please give some clarity on my conditions. What tests should I do for further investigations?

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

Understandably, you are concerned about your recent HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) test results. Given your situation and lack of risk factors, it is worth considering the possibility of a false positive result or cross-reactivity with other antibodies, such as those from a COVID-19 infection. To clarify your situation, you may want to consider the following steps:

1. Discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider: Share your medical history, including the details of your HIV tests and your COVID-19 infection. Your doctor can provide guidance based on your specific circumstances.

2. Request a Western blot test: This test is considered the gold standard for confirming HIV infection. It detects specific antibodies that target different HIV proteins, providing a more accurate result than the initial screening and confirmatory tests. A negative Western blot result would strongly indicate that your initial positive results were false positives or due to cross-reactivity.

3. Consider testing for other infections: It is possible that your initial positive result could be due to exposure to other infections that share similarities with HIV. Your doctor may recommend testing for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or viral infections to rule out any possible cross-reactivity.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Regards.