Q: My family member received a test result, which said HIV-1 and HIV-2 are Reactive. But the same test also said that HIV-1AB, qual, AB - Negative. HIV-1 western blot - Negative. HIV-1WB bands - No bands observed. Please explain the test report.

A:Get another test just to set your mind at rest. It is not unusual to get a false positive HIV result, especially in the course of a routine test done without any specific indication. That is the reason why we always insist on a second test if one test is positive. If any, even one, of the usual tests gives a negative result, the person can be safely assumed to be non-infected (or in the window period if the test is done soon after the risk exposure). Never give any importance to a single positive test.