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Can TB drugs influence HIV test?
Question
I am on Forecox and B-long since one month after detecting abdominal tuberculosis. Is this treatment called chemotherapy? I have done an HIV ELISA test last week and result was negative. Is there any chance of getting the result as false negative due to these medicines?
Expert Answer
A
Dr Anuj SharmaJul 05, 2008
World Health Organization,
Country Office for India,
New Delhi
Country Office for India,
New Delhi
Chemotherapy generally refers to treatment of disease through chemicals that kill cells - specifically those of micro-organisms or cancer. In colloquial use, it usually refers to anticancer drugs used to treat cancer or the combination of these drugs into a standardised treatment regimen. Other than cancer, chemotherapy may also refer to antibiotic treatment - antibacterial or antitubercular treatment (ATT). Forecox contains a four-drug fixed dose combination of Rifampicin, INH, Pyrazinamide and Ethambutol for treatment of TB. B-long contains high dose of vitamin B6 and folic acid to prevent some side effects of ATT. These medicines do not interfere with detection of HIV antibodies for diagnosis.
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