Why Get Tested?
To determine if you are infected with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
When to Get Tested?
One month to three months after you think you may have been exposed to the virus; the average time for the antibody to be detected is two weeks after exposure to the virus
Sample Required?
A blood sample collected from a vein in your arm; there are also tests available that can be performed on urine and/or oral fluid
How is it used?
HIV antibody testing is used to screen for and diagnose HIV infections. Early treatment of HIV infection and immune system monitoring can greatly improve long-term health. Also, knowing your HIV status may help you change behaviors that would put you and others at risk.
Antibodies to the HIV virus are often detected by a screening test called an ELISA. The ELISA test is repeated if positive. The ELISA method is very sensitive but requires another test, a Western Blot, to confirm the results because false positives can occur. These tests can be done on blood, urine or oral sample in a doctor’s office or a local clinic. There are several rapid tests available in which results are generated in about 20 minutes. However, these too must have confirmatory testing before a final diagnosis can be made.
There is also a home collection kit approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that is available for HIV antibody testing. This allows you to take a sample of your blood from a finger at home and mail it to a testing center. You would then hear your results later over the phone, along with appropriate counseling. There are, however, no available tests that can be performed at home. (For more, see the article on Home Testing and the FDA webpage on HIV home tests.)
To determine if you are infected with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
When to Get Tested?
One month to three months after you think you may have been exposed to the virus; the average time for the antibody to be detected is two weeks after exposure to the virus
Sample Required?
A blood sample collected from a vein in your arm; there are also tests available that can be performed on urine and/or oral fluid
How is it used?
HIV antibody testing is used to screen for and diagnose HIV infections. Early treatment of HIV infection and immune system monitoring can greatly improve long-term health. Also, knowing your HIV status may help you change behaviors that would put you and others at risk.
Antibodies to the HIV virus are often detected by a screening test called an ELISA. The ELISA test is repeated if positive. The ELISA method is very sensitive but requires another test, a Western Blot, to confirm the results because false positives can occur. These tests can be done on blood, urine or oral sample in a doctor’s office or a local clinic. There are several rapid tests available in which results are generated in about 20 minutes. However, these too must have confirmatory testing before a final diagnosis can be made.
There is also a home collection kit approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that is available for HIV antibody testing. This allows you to take a sample of your blood from a finger at home and mail it to a testing center. You would then hear your results later over the phone, along with appropriate counseling. There are, however, no available tests that can be performed at home. (For more, see the article on Home Testing and the FDA webpage on HIV home tests.)
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