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Can HIV Tests Be Inaccurate?

Testing for HIV can induce a great deal of anxiety, especially if you worry the test results may be inaccurate. The majority of tests available for HIV are very reliable, with an accuracy rate of up to 99.5 percent. However, occasional false-positives or false-negatives can occur.

  1. How Common HIV Tests Work

    • The most common tests for HIV don't actually test for HIV. Instead, they test for the antibodies the human body develops in its attempt to fight the virus. Inaccuracies can be caused by the body being slow to develop these antibodies, or by other viruses causing similar antibodies to be produced.

    ELISA Testing

    • The ELISA is the first test that is done on a person's blood to determine whether or not they have HIV. The ELISA is more than 99 percent accurate, though false positives may occur because it tests for several different proteins, not all of which are unique to HIV.

    Western Blot Testing

    • If a person tests positive on an ELISA, a Western Blot will be done to confirm the result. This test looks specifically for HIV antibodies, and is highly accurate.

    Oral Tests

    • Two commonly used oral tests exist. The OralQuick test looks for several proteins in saliva that are potential markers of HIV, but can also be produced by other infections. This test is quick, but must be confirmed by a blood test. The OralSure test looks for HIV-specific indicators, and though it takes two weeks for a result, it is considered highly accurate.

    Home Tests

    • These are oral swabs done at home, though the results should be confirmed by a medical professional. Home testing is the least accurate form of HIV testing because of the possibility of user error or accidental test contamination.

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