How To Test For Hiv In Blood

Whats Next If The Test Is Positive

If a person gets a positive result, a qualified lab should retest the sample to make sure it was not inaccurate or have another sample tested. A positive result on a follow-up test means that a person has HIV.

Its recommended that people who test positive for HIV see a healthcare professional as soon as possible to discuss treatment options.

A medical professional can get a person with HIV started on antiretroviral therapy right away. This is a medication that helps stop HIV from replicating and can help prevent transmission of HIV to other people.

Its important to use condoms, dental dams, or other barrier methods with any and all sexual partners and refrain from sharing needles while waiting for test results or until the virus becomes undetectable in the blood.

Seeing a therapist or joining a support group, whether in person or online, can help cope with the emotions and health issues that come with an HIV diagnosis. Dealing with HIV can be stressful and difficult to discuss with even the closest friends and family.

Speaking privately with a therapist or being part of a community made up of others with the same medical condition can help a person understand how to lead a healthy, active life after diagnosis.

Why Its Important To Test

If you have HIV, finding out means you can start treatment, stay healthy and avoid passing the virus onto anyone else. The sooner you start treatment, the less likely you are to become seriously ill. People who are diagnosed early and get on effective treatment can expect to live a normal lifespan.

Once youre on effective treatment and your viral load is undetectable then you can’t pass the virus on to anyone else.

If you wait to test, the virus could do a lot of damage. There is a lot of support available for people who test positive.

What Happens If My Test Is Positive

If you test positive for HIV, it is important to remember that with treatment you can live a long, healthy life. In fact, with early treatment, people with HIV can live about as long as people that are not infected.

A team approach will help you get the medical care and support that you need. Start by talking to your doctor or the counselor or social worker at the testing site. He or she can help you with suggestions on how to talk to your parents or guardians and how to find a health care provider who’s an HIV specialist. By starting treatment as soon as possible, you can stay healthy and learn to live well with HIV.

You May Like: How Fast Does Hiv Spread

What Is An Hiv Test

An HIV test shows whether you are infected with HIV . HIV is a virus that attacks and destroys cells in the immune system. These cells protect your body against disease-causing germs, such as bacteria and viruses. If you lose too many immune cells, your body will have trouble fighting off infections and other diseases.

There are three main types of HIV tests:

• Antibody Test. This test looks for HIV antibodies in your blood or saliva. Your immune system makes antibodies when you are exposed to bacteria or viruses, like HIV. An HIV antibody test can determine if you have HIV from 312 weeks after infection. That’s because it can take a few weeks or longer for your immune system to make antibodies to HIV. You may be able to do an HIV antibody test in the privacy of your home. Ask your health care provider about at-home HIV test kits.
• HIV Antibody/Antigen Test. This test looks for HIV antibodies and antigens in the blood. An antigen is a part of a virus that triggers an immune response. If you’ve been exposed to HIV, antigens will show up in your blood before HIV antibodies are made. This test can usually find HIV within 26 weeks of infection. The HIV antibody/antigen test is one of the most common types of HIV tests.
• HIV Viral Load. This test measures the amount of the HIV virus in the blood. It can find HIV faster than antibody and antibody/antigen tests, but it is very expensive. It is mostly used for monitoring HIV infections.

How Accurate Is The Biosure Hiv Self Test

Our test is proven to be extremely effective at diagnosing HIV. Extensive research has evidenced our kit to be exceptionally usable and tremendously accurate when performed correctly.

It has a proven clinical sensitivity of 99.7%, and a proven clinical specificity of 99.9%.

If you are at all unsure of your result you must go and see a healthcare professional to perform another test.

Read Also: How Long Can Hiv Go Undetected

What Does The Test Measure

HIV tests detect the presence of the HIV virus, HIV antigens, and/or HIV antibodies. If these substances are detected, the test returns a positive result for HIV.

There are three types of HIV tests available:

• Antibody test: Antibodies are produced by the body after an HIV infection. It can take weeks for the body to produce antibodies, so HIV antibody tests can only detect HIV from 3 to 12 weeks after infection.
• Antigen/antibody test: Antigens are foreign substances that activate an immune response. Antigens appear before the body produces antibodies, so HIV antigen/antibody tests can detect an HIV infection earlier than antibody tests, within 2 to 4 weeks of becoming infected.
• HIV viral load test: An HIV viral load test looks for the quantity of HIV virus in the blood. In addition to detecting an HIV infection, viral load testing can also detect how much of the virus is in the blood. Although this type of testing can detect an HIV infection earlier than other HIV tests, its very expensive and is typically only used when someone has symptoms or a possible exposure to HIV.

Why Should Someone Get Tested For Hiv

If someone is infected with HIV, it’s important to know because:

• Starting medicines right away can keep a person stay healthy for a long time.
• There are ways to stop the spread of HIV to others, such as using a condom and taking medicines.
• A pregnant woman who is infected can get treatment to try to prevent passing HIV to her baby.

Another reason to get tested is peace of mind: A negative test result can be a big relief for someone who is worried about being infected.

Don’t Miss: Does Aids Make Your Hair Fall Out

What Are The Benefits Of Home Hiv Tests

HIV is much easier to manage and treat if its identified early and treatment is started as soon as possible.

Home HIV tests allow people to receive results almost immediately sometimes within minutes without having to wait for an appointment with a healthcare professional or take time out of their schedule to visit a lab.

Early identification is essential for successful long-term treatment and survival with HIV.

Home tests empower people to learn whether they have the virus earlier than any other testing methods. This can help them limit the virus effect on them and on others around them.

Early identification can even protect people they do not know, as their sexual partners could potentially contract HIV and then transmit it to others.

Early treatment can suppress the virus to undetectable levels, which makes HIV untransmittable. The CDC considers any viral load of

During the early stages, which is known as primary infection or acute HIV infection, it can be much easier for a person to transmit HIV to others because levels of virus in the blood are very high.

A person should consider taking an HIV test if they experience these symptoms after the following activities:

• having sex without a condom or another barrier method
• injecting drugs

Can I Take The Test At Home

At-home HIV tests are a convenient way to take an HIV test in a private location. Testing for HIV at home is a form of HIV screening that requires additional follow-up if preliminary results are positive. At-home HIV tests can be obtained online, at a pharmacy, or at health departments and community-based organizations.

Read Also: How Long Can Hiv Be Dormant

Can You Detect Hiv In Blood Test

Testing your blood or taking a sample of cells from inside your cheek for antibodies to HIV is usually the first step in diagnosis. A HIV test can detect infection as early as the first week of the infection cycle. Viruses are known as window periods when they are not detected for a certain period of time.

Test Frequency And Turnaround Time

HIV-1 PCR turnaround time is up to 10 days from receipt by PHO Laboratory. Testing is performed once or twice a week.Specimens for HIV-2 PCR are referred to National Laboratory for HIV Reference Services in Winnipeg. Turnaround time is up to 14 days from receipt by PHO Laboratory.STAT HIV-1 PCR testing may be considered on an individual basis for specific circumstances in consultation with a PHO Microbiologist . The PHO Microbiologist can be contacted through the PHO Laboratory’s Customer Service Centre at 416-235-6556 / 1-877-604-4567. STAT samples must be shipped separately from routine specimens in a clearly marked package indicating STAT and handled in accordance with the Canadian Biosafety Standards and shipped in accordance with the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations. Failure to ship separately will delay testing.

You May Like: Does Nba Youngboy Really Have Herpes

What Is The Hiv Window Period

The time from when HIV infection occurs to when a test can correctly give a positive result is called the HIV window period or HIV test window period. During this period, someone who has been infected with HIV could still get a negative HIV test result because they may not have produced the antibodies needed to generate a positive result. This does not mean the person testing is negative and has not contracted HIV.

So after multiple evaluations, we say that you can test from 4 weeks after your exposure, but not to rely on a negative test result until 12 weeks after your most recent possible exposure. A positive test result is always a positive test result regardless of the window period.

A lot of people choose to test regularly and include it as part of their general well being, especially if they have the possibility for more than one exposure.

Who Should Get An Hiv Test

The CDC recommends that everyone in the United States between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once.

You should be tested more often — at least once a year — if youâre at higher risk of getting HIV, including if you:

• Have had several sexual partners
• Had unprotected sex with someone who is or could be HIV-positive, including someone whose sexual history you don’t know
• Injected drugs with a needle, syringe, or other device that someone else used first
• Have had or are getting tested for tuberculosis, hepatitis, or any sexually transmitted disease, including syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, or herpes
• Have had sex for drugs or money
• Had sex with someone who has a history of any of these

Also Check: Hiv Causes Hair Loss

Side Effects Of Hiv Treatment

People on current HIV treatments may experience mild side effects including:

• tiredness and fatigue
• skin rashes.

If you are on treatment, see your doctor every 3 to 6 months.

Regular blood tests are necessary to make sure your treatment is working and not causing serious side effects. It is recommended that you also get tested for STIs and talk to your doctor about your sexual health and overall wellbeing. Ensure you are having routine screening for cancers and keeping your vaccinations up to date.

What Will Show Up In A Blood Test If You Have Hiv

A HIV Antibody/Antigen Test is used to identify HIV antibodies and their receptors in the blood. An immune response is triggered by an immune response to an immune system component called an globulin. Antigen will be present in your blood before HIV antibodies are made if you have been exposed to HIV. HIV can usually be detected within two to six weeks of infection with this test.

Read Also: Hiv Dormancy Period

How Accurate Is An Hiv Test What Is The Window Period For An Hiv Test

The current testing protocols are highly accurate but not perfect. The probability of a false result on the test depends on the test and on the person’s risk factors for getting infected. The lower the risk of getting HIV, the higher the probability of a false- positive result.

Falsely negative tests occur in people who are truly infected with HIV but have negative tests. Among 1,000 people who are truly infected, rapid tests will be falsely negative in zero to six people, depending on the test. Negative antibody tests in people infected with HIV may occur because antibody concentrations are low or because antibodies have not yet developed. On average, antibodies take about four weeks to reach detectable levels after initial infection, and falsely negative tests may occur during this so-called HIV window period. Individuals with negative tests and who had high risk for HIV exposure should be retested in two to three months.

Hiv Transmission In Australia

In Australia, HIV is commonly transmitted through:

• Unprotected anal or vaginal sex .
• Sharing any needles, syringes, or other injecting equipment.
• From mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding This can occur when the mother doesnt know she is HIV-positive, or is not on effective treatment.
• Tattooing or other procedures that involve unsterile or reused equipment.
• Needle stick injuries.

HIV is not transmitted by:

• kissing, hugging, massaging, mutual masturbation and other body contact
• social interaction
• sharing food, dishes, utensils, drinking glasses
• air, breath, or being coughed or sneezed on
• mosquito, insect or animal bites
• use of communal facilities .

It is perfectly safe to consume food and drinks prepared by someone who is HIV-positive even if theyre not receiving treatment.

People with HIV who are on treatment and achieve and maintain an undetectable HIV viral load cannot transmit HIV sexually.

Also Check: What Does Hiv Screen 4th Generation Wrfx Non Reactive Mean

What Blood Levels Would Indicate Hiv

A CD4 cell count is the number of cells in a CD4. An HIV-positive person normally has a blood test range of 500 to 1,500. In HIV treatment, the goal is to keep this number as high as possible. CD4 counts below 200 indicate AIDS diagnosis and can raise the risk of opportunistic infections in patients.

How Healthcare Providers Can Facilitate Hiv Screening

Healthcare providers should take an active approach to HIV screening, as earlier diagnosis and treatment leads to better health outcomes. Individuals with positive results should be linked to treatment and care. Those with negative results may benefit from counselling on risk reduction and prevention measures.

You May Like: How Long Does It Take For Hiv To Become Aids

What Is Usually The First Sign Of Hiv

The initial presentation of an HIVinfection is a flu-like illness which includes:

• Rash
• Swollen lymph nodes: Lymph nodes are a part of the bodys immune system that helps get rid of bacteria and viruses. An HIV infection, like many other infections, can cause the inflammation of lymph nodes, which can be felt as round or nodular swellings in the armpit, groin, and neck. The swelling is often associated with aches and pains in these areas.

What Do The Results Mean

If your result is negative, it can mean you don’t have HIV. A negative result may also mean you have HIV but it’s too soon to tell. It can take a few weeks for HIV antibodies and antigens to show up in your body. If your result is negative, your health care provider may order additional HIV tests at a later date.

If your result is positive, you will get a follow-up test to confirm the diagnosis. If both tests are positive, it means you have HIV. It does not mean you have AIDS. While there is no cure for HIV, the disease can be effectively controlled with medicine. The medicine used to treat HIV is called antiretroviral therapy . ART can significantly reduce the amount of HIV in the blood. People with HIV who take ART before the disease gets too advanced can live long, healthy lives. If you are living with HIV, it’s important to see your health care provider regularly.

Don’t Miss: Does Nba Youngboy Have Herpies

Where Can People Find Free Hiv Testing Locations

The CDC maintains a list of HIV testing locations for people who want to find out whether they have contracted the virus. This National HIV and STD Testing Resource can be accessed at . This site includes the ability to search for free testing locations as well as locations that provide rapid tests. Some clinics only provide HIV testing. However, sexually transmitted diseases clinics routinely provide HIV testing along with testing for diseases like chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and herpes.

Importance Of Hiv Testing

If you have the virus, finding out quickly means you can start treatment right away so you can feel better and live a long, full life. You can also take steps so you don’t pass HIV to other people.

Pregnant women should get tested because early treatment means you probably wonât pass it to your baby.

You May Like: Do Nba Youngboy Have Herpes

Hiv Testing At Options Clinic Or At Other Anonymous Testing Clinics:

Options provides anonymous testing with results on the spot. This is called rapid point-of-care testing.

• You dont need your health card.
• You dont have to give your real name. This is what anonymous means.

• A small amount of blood will be taken by pricking your finger the test is quick and convenient

• If the rapid point-of-care test shows a positive result, meaning that it detects HIV antibodies, the clinician at Options will take more blood to send off to a laboratory to confirm the result. It takes about two weeks for that result to come in.

What is the HIV antibody test?

The HIV antibody test checks your blood to see if your immune system has produced HIV antibodies. If antibodies are present, it means you have been infected with HIV. Because HIV is a retrovirus, these antibodies are powerless in fighting off HIV, but their presence is enough to tell if you have HIV or not.

A positive test only tells you that you are living with HIV. It does not tell you how much virus is in your body, when you were infected or whether or not youll get sick.

Getting tested for HIV relieves feelings of uncertainty and gives you a chance to learn about HIV and sexual risk reduction from a trained counselor. If you test positive, getting tested is the first step in taking control so you can keep yourself healthy.

If youd like more information about getting tested for HIV or to talk to someone who knows what it is like, contact a member of our Education team.