What are the implications of false-positive HIV test results?
Researchers are unsure how long the antibodies generated from a vaccine candidate will last. Volunteers in vaccine trials that have positive test results, even if false, during routine testing could face potential discrimination when applying for insurance or future employment and could have difficulty with obtaining travel visas or going through immigration. People with a positive HIV test are also prohibited from donating blood and can face social stigmatization. These potential difficulties are discussed with each volunteer during the informed consent process before the vaccine trial begins. Investigators at trial sites can also provide volunteers with a letter, if requested, stating that they are participating in an AIDS vaccine trial and were not HIV infected as of a certain date. Some organizations that are running vaccine trials will provide volunteers with a photo identification card and a contact they can call at anytime to help them to resolve conflicts over whether or not th
