Is western blot test accurate and reliable to detect HIV?

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Western blot is highly sensitive and specific test, which is run after a repeatedly reactive ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) or HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) rapid test. Western blot test is not used as a diagnostic test in the absence of an initial positive screening test, due to the rare possibility of false positive. It is a confirmatory test, and not meant as a primary test and carries value in confirming a positive rapid test or ELISA. You can be 100 % certain if western blot has been performed at 16 weeks post-exposure and is giving a negative result, that you do not have HIV.Rapid tests or ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) are almost always used as the first screening method. These are inexpensive and at the same time highly sensitive for detecting the presence of HIV antibodies. The rapid kits which are now available give an accurate result. As per the testing guidelines, a repeat HIV testing should be provided to all individuals who have tested HIV negative,but where a possible exposure has occurred within the window period. Window period refers to the time after infection and before seroconversion, which means markers of infection (HIV-specific antigen and antibody) are still absent or too low to be detected by the test. There is natural variation in this period and is difficult to make for a particular person. A negative test at 12 weeks definitely excludes HIV infection, had there been no other exposure. Your negative HIV test results are very encouraging, but if you had exposure, and as per recommendations, I advise you to undertake HIV- antibody test at six months of exposure.HIV proteins used in western blot can be produced by recombinant DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) in a technique which is called RIBA (recombinant immunoblot assay). It is categorized as HIV third generation test. Yes, a recent CMV (Cytomegalovirus) infection and for that matter, any acute illness can interfere with the results.Hope your queries are answered, but if you still have any more questions, please revert.