Hi

That would not be correct.

HTLV-3 stands for (Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 3) and HIV stands for the (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). They are both Retroviruses, but are different viruses. I would contact your doctor and make sure they did do a HIV test for you.

The confusion I believe comes from the fact that in the early stages of HIV/AIDS what we now call HIV used to be referred to as HTLV-3. When they first discovered the virus in 1984 it used to be called HTLV-3 but this was changed to HIV in 1986, when they worked out that HIV was a different Genus to the HTLV viruses. To add more confusion another HTLV was discovered and is now referred to as HTLV-3 which has nothing to do with HIV.

Even today it is not unusual for a doctor to order HTLV testing on the lab requisition thinking that they are testing for HIV.

Let us know if this does not answer your question or if you have any further questions or concerns.

Health Nurse