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What is an HIV Test?
HIV Test or HIV screening is used to detect the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). This virus is called the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It weakens one’s immune system, which usually helps the body fight against diseases. This test is performed on blood, saliva, or urine. Every individual is advised to get tested at least once so that they can keep themselves and their partners healthy. Also, early detection of the disease can result in early treatment, which can delay the progression of the disease. Pregnant women should get themselves tested early for HIV so that in case they have the virus, they do not transmit it to the foetus.
What is the HIV Test used for?
An HIV test is used to identify if a person has tested positive or negative for HIV. Based on the results, the doctor can initiate the treatment and start the medications to protect the patient’s immune system from the virus.
Understanding the test results of an HIV Test
If the patient tests negative, they could either not have HIV or have been recently exposed to the disease but have undergone the test without their body getting sufficient time to create HIV antibodies. In the latter scenario, the patient should get themselves tested again for HIV antibodies after 3 months.
If the patient tests positive in the initial and confirmatory HIV test, they should start treatment for the disease. Although HIV is not curable, treatment and medications can extend and improve the patient’s quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What happens during an HIV Test?
There are two types of testing in an HIV Test - Direct and Indirect methods. Irrespective of the differences, both methods are used to detect the presence of a protein produced by the immune system called antibodies that attach to the virus to destroy it.
What blood tests detect HIV?
There are a few HIV testing options available that differ depending upon certain factors like speed, accuracy, and ease of use.
Rapid point-of-care test: This test can be done on a blood sample, oral sample, or urine sample, and the results of rapid point-of-care tests are out in 20 minutes.
HIV ELISA or Standard point-of-care tests: These tests are lab-based and are run on a blood sample and only detect HIV antibodies. The results take approximately 5-10 working days.
Nucleic acid tests (NAT) - Such tests are expensive as they are the quickest among all the other tests. NATs are considered the safest way of testing HIV RNA and hence are used to test newborns for HIV and anyone who is experiencing acute symptoms of HIV.
Except for NAT, all the other above-mentioned tests require a second confirmatory test to ensure the diagnosis.
How do you take an HIV test?
In cases when you want to take the HIV test yourself, the following options are available:
Rapid at-home tests: These testing kits are available online or at a medical store. They are done by taking an oral sample, and the results are made available in 20 minutes.
Home collection kits: These antibody tests can be booked online and are run on a blood sample. The blood sample requires a drop of blood on a test card which is then sent to a laboratory. The results are given to the patient via a phone call or are made available online.
Is undetectable the same as negative?
If the test result is undetectable it means that the HIV has gone down to very small quantities in your blood sample and is not being detected by the standard test. This usually happens when the treatment is working for the patient but does not mean that the patient is cured. There is still some virus present in the blood.
Should everyone get HIV tested?
The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone between the age of 13–64 years should get themselves tested for HIV at least once.
These include anyone who:
- Has multiple sexual partners
- Has unprotected sex
- Has sex with someone with HIV
- Injects drugs
Those with a higher risk of getting HIV should get themselves tested once annually.
Also, people beginning a new sexual relationship or people showing symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) should get tested for HIV. When a woman gets pregnant, she should get tested for HIV too.
Why would someone not want an HIV test?
The common reasons for not getting tested are fear of positive test results and when people are confident of not getting the virus as they have always had protected intercourse. No reason is good enough to not get tested because early detection means early treatment.
Call us to book an appointment or get a free second opinion by visiting your nearest Yashoda Hospital.
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Yashoda Hospitals is committed to providing world-class treatment for patients from across the globe. With the unique combination of state-of-the-art technology, intuitive care, and clinical excellence, we are the healthcare destination for thousands of international patients in India.
On the journey to good health, we understand that it is important for you to feel at home. We plan out all aspects of your trip.
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Our hospitals are equipped with advanced technology to perform a wide range of procedures and treatments.
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