Q: My girlfriend and I went for an HIV test two months back and it came out negative. Still, to settle her doubts, she went for another HIV test earlier this month, which again was negative. However, I have heard that some people show negative results despite being HIV positive. Is this true? I have taken four HIV tests so far and all are negative. Please help.

A:A HIV negative person may give a positive result occasionally. That is why we always advise more than one test in the case of a positive report. On the other hand it is virtually impossible for an HIV positive person to give even one negative test report except very soon after getting infected (which is why we advise a gap of 12 weeks before testing with the ELISA and similar tests). In your case it is certain that you are NOT infected. I repeat - you are negative. Relax and believe the reports; and stop getting additional tests.