My frnd got an HIV test done, he was curious becoz he'd slept wit an unknon gal&had got a tattoo done 1yr ago!

How ever his results turned out Negative, the test was an ELISA test for HIV ! He got the test done after about 1yr 2 months after he'd sex wit the gal(PROTECTED) and the tattoo was done nearly 2 yrs before the test! Even after he tested Negative, he's still afraid! Now please temme is ELISA a reliable test??

well its a good screening test
A negative test result is normal. However, early HIV infection (termed acute HIV infection or primary HIV infection) often results in a negative test.
A positive result does not necessarily mean that the person has HIV infection. There are certain conditions that may lead to a false positive result, such as Lyme disease, syphilis, and lupus.
A positive ELISA test is always followed by a confirmatory test termed Western blot
HIV-1 can take between two weeks to six months. During this interval, sometimes referred to as the "window period," a person may test HIV-1 antibody negative ie elisa negative and yet be infected with the virus. This is because his/her immune system has not produced enough antibodies for the test to detect.

((so if ur bf is sure he has not done anything that confers him a risk for last 6 months has elapsed....then an elisa would pick up his hiv status...truly ......and will not be negative if he is infected..is he sure about this?
on other hand if he has had sex with some girl within 6 months then there is a chance that elisa maybe false...he may have infection and still elisa will be negative.....then u have to do viral load or p24 assay))
to be absolutely sure ..do a western blot and p24 assay....
that would absolutely rule out hiv 4 sure..

A negative test result is normal. However, early HIV infection often results in a negative test.

When HIV tests are done the Elisa test is the one that is done first. If it comes back negative the chances are that the person does NOT have HIV. However, if the test comes back positive then the sample will be sent for a western blot test. The reason the Elisa test might come back positive, other then being HIV positive is that this test is very sensative to viruses. The person may have a virus that they are unaware of, such as herpes or mono. If the western blot test comes back negative....you don't have HIV. If it comes back positive you are considered HIV positive. If your friend is still concerned he should go and get another test done but I suspect he is ok.

Yes it is. It will tell if you have the antibodies for HIV in your blood. And even if it was an oral test it does the exact same thing. The window period for HIV is 3 months so he is negative. SO he can stop worrying.