# Does HIV make you mean? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 11, 2002, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hiv-make-you-mean/102936 "2002-04-11T00:09:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2002, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hiv-make-you-mean/102936/21 "2002-04-12T23:07:47Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by **Qwertyasdfg** _ > > What does “non-reactive” mean in that context? From [the CDC](http://www.hivtest.org/faqs/testing.htm): > [@](#): > > Two types of tests are commonly used to detect HIV infection. The most commonly used initial test is an enzyme immune assay (EIA) or the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). If EIA test results show a reaction, the test is repeated on the same blood sample. If the sample is repeatedly reactive, the results are “confirmed” using a second test such as the Western blot. This more specific (and more expensive) test can tell the difference between HIV antibodies and other antibodies that can react to the EIA and cause false positive results. False positive EIA results are uncommon, but can occur. A person is considered infected following a repeatedly reactive result from the EIA, confirmed by the Western blot test. So “non-reactive” means the EIA or ELISA test did not react to any antibodies, thus meaning there is no HIV detectable in your body, thus meaning you are HIV-negative. 🙂 Esprix ---
**Author:** ![ageless6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@ageless6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ageless6)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2002, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hiv-make-you-mean/102936/22 "2002-04-13T00:32:19Z")
Esprix: Huh? What choice is mine? To be nice to a complete jerk who treats me and everyone else here like shit? I think not. If you were here you’d find that EVERY tenant thinks this guy is an insane prick. Yeah, the hetero thing was badly put; just an attempt at a little joke. I think perhaps you saw that, but decided to pick at it anyway. I was trying to say that it wouldn’t bother me if everyone here were gay and HIV positive but of course I’d prefer that my SO would stay hetero. I’m still glad you’re negative. So there! ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2002, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hiv-make-you-mean/102936/23 "2002-04-13T16:28:07Z")
All the infected guys I ever met were nice. ---
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2002, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hiv-make-you-mean/102936/24 "2002-04-14T05:10:02Z")
I know and have known quite a number of people living with HIV. In my experience, they run the gamut in personality types - just like everybody else. It sounds to me like you’re mostly mad that he leaves the gate open. ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2002, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hiv-make-you-mean/102936/25 "2002-04-14T05:52:07Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by **ageless6** _ > > Huh? What choice is mine? To be nice to a complete jerk who treats me and everyone else here like shit? I think not. If you were here you’d find that EVERY tenant thinks this guy is an insane prick. Regardless, the choice of whether or not to be nice back to him is yours. You can also avoid him altogether, hire a hit man to kill him, set a paper bag full of dog shit alight on his doorstop… the list goes on and on. But, like I said, jerk or not, he’s the one walking around with the life-threatening (and life-altering) disease. If nothing else, let him stand as a reminder to count your blessings. > [@](#): > > Yeah, the hetero thing was badly put; just an attempt at a little joke. I think perhaps you saw that, but decided to pick at it anyway. I was trying to say that it wouldn’t bother me if everyone here were gay and HIV positive but of course I’d prefer that my SO would stay hetero. And again I ask, what does being hetero have to do with HIV prevention? Your original implication seemed to be “heterosexual = HIV negative.” Was that intentional? Esprix [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-hiv-make-you-mean/102936.md?page=1)