How Do I Get My Results
Depending on the type of test you take, you will have to wait either a few minutes for your results , or anywhere between a couple of days or weeks . Your healthcare professional should explain how you will get your test results. If you are self-testing, there will be information on how to read your results with your test kit.
If your result is negative, the health centre will contact you to let you know that you tested negative. All positive and will have to be checked again, so you will be asked to come back for further testing.If you get a positive result after using a self-test kit you will need to go to a healthcare clinic.
Can A Hsv 2 Blood Test Be False Positive
The HSV 2 blood test has also been known to create false positive results from time to time. If this blood test is positive, but you do not have any known genital herpes outbreaks, did not have a positive culture test, and did not have a positive PCR result, then an immunoblot test may be necessary to confirm a diagnosis.
What Does A Positive Test Result Mean
If you receive an HIV-positive result, the healthcare worker will talk to you about what this means and what will happen next. For most people, receiving a positive diagnosis can be a shocking and emotional experience this is completely normal. The healthcare worker is there to support you and to answer any questions that you have.
Treatment means that HIV is now a manageable illness. Your healthcare provider can link you to support and treatment services, and any other health services that you need. Any questions that you have you can ask them its their job to help answer your worries. You will most likely be asked to schedule another appointment with them in the very near future. Its very important to keep appointments and use the support offered to you. You may also be offered screening tests for other sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis.
Find out what questions to ask and what support is available to help you cope with the results on our Newly diagnosed page.
It has almost been eight months since I was diagnosed with HIV. I was confused, ashamed, I kept asking, ‘How this could be?’. Slowly but surely Im beginning to accept that HIV is going to be a part of me and I definitely have control over it.
– Raya
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What Does A Positive Blood Test For Hsv Mean
This result though is very rare. For a test value from 1.10 IV or greater, the results indicate positive results for HSV-1, that is, the presence of IgG antibodies detected in HSV-1 glycoprotein G. This results may show a past or a current HSV-1 infection. In some blood test, clarity is not seen when testing for HSV.
What Does A Reactive Test Result Mean
A reactive test result is a possible positive result, but means that you will need to go back to test again to confirm this. The healthcare worker will talk you through everything you need to know and help you with any worries that you may have.
You will need to give blood sample, which will then be sent to the lab for testing. At this stage, it’s very important to follow the advice of the healthcare professional.
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What Is A Nonreactive Hiv Test
A non-reactive HIV test indicates that there were no active HIV antibodies in the blood at the time of testing using a rapid HIV test, according to the Berkeley Free Clinic. A rapid HIV test produces results within 40 minutes after a blood sample is drawn.
Because it typically takes the body two weeks to six months to develop detectable antibodies in the blood, if someone receives a non-reactive test result and engaged in high-risk behavior during this window, a follow-up test should be taken again once outside of the this window to confirm a negative result, according to the Berkeley Free Clinic. Most people develop enough antibodies in their blood that can be detected using a rapid HIV test around the end of the third month after infection.
A non-reactive test does not indicate that a person is immune to HIV or that they cannot contract it in the future, according to Young Men’s Health. There are two other HIV tests, the standard blood test and the Western blot test, which are also used to confirm or rule out HIV infection. In the case of a reactive result using a rapid HIV test or a standard blood test, the Western blot test is used to confirm the result, as the other two tests can only confirm a preliminary positive result.
Where Can I Get Tested
You can get tested at your primary care providers office or at a local testing center. If you live in the US, find a local testing center near you on the CDC HIV testing resource site. This site has a feature where you can type in your zip code, and get the names and addresses of testing locations near you. Its sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
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Will My Partner Have The Same Results As Me
Dont assume that if you are positive, or negative, your partner will have the same result. It may be that your partner has a different test result to you. This is why its a good idea to encourage your partner to get tested too, whether your results are positive or negative. If youre worried about telling your partner that you are positive or asking them to take a test, speak to your healthcare advisor. They can often help you with ways to do this.
What Should I Expect When I Get Tested
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What Is A Test Like
There are many places to get HIV tests, such as your primary care providers office or a special testing site. Youll first receive information about HIV, risk factors for HIV, and the types of different tests. You will have time to ask questions and talk about any concerns about getting tested. Its your choice to get tested.
Dried Blood Spot Test
A DBS test is a free, accurate and convenient way to test for HIV in the comfort and privacy of your home.
It involves collecting a few drops of blood from your finger and allowing the blood to dry on a test card. You then send the card away to get tested and wait around a week to get the result back. You can register for a DBS HIV test here.
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What Does Reactive Mean On A Hep C Test
A reactive or positive antibody test means you have been infected with the hepatitis C virus at some point in time. Once people have been infected, they will always have antibodies in their blood. This is true if they have cleared the virus, have been cured, or still have the virus in their blood.
What Does A Reactive Hepatitis C Test Result Mean
non-reactive or negative antibody test means that you are not currently infected with the Hepatitis C virus. However, if you think you might have been exposed to Hepatitis C in the last 6 months, you will need to be tested again. What does a reactive Hepatitis C Antibody Test result mean? A reactive
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How Does A 4th Generation Hiv Test Work
Fourth-generation tests detect two factors in the blood: HIV antibodies and p24 antigens.
When a person contracts HIV, the immune system starts to produce HIV antibodies. This is the bodys method of fighting the virus.
The immune system produces these antibodies in response to p24 antigens.
P24 antigens are a part of the virus, and research indicates that they tend to appear within of HIV entering the body.
A fourth-generation test can reliably detect HIV as soon as 1 month after a person contracts it.
When a person has an HIV test, the healthcare provider will take a small sample of their blood. For a fourth-generation HIV test, the provider will usually send the sample off to a lab for testing.
A person can usually expect their result within a few weeks, though the result may come back in a few days.
If the result is positive, the healthcare provider may arrange for a follow-up test to confirm the findings. A positive result means that the person is living with HIV.
After receiving a positive result, it is essential to inform any current or former sexual partners so that they can also get tested.
A doctor will advise on the best course of treatment.
What Happens After An Hiv Test And Getting The Results
FAST FACTS
- If your result is negative, you can stop worrying but its good to keep testing regularly.
- If your result is positive or , you will need to give a blood sample to have your results confirmed.
- Remember that HIV is now a manageable illness if you do test positive you can start treatment which will keep you healthy.
is often the hardest step to take, but it is usually not as bad as you imagine.
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What Is A False Positive Test
You can get a false positive HIV test. This is when a person who doesnt have HIV tests positive.
Newer tests like the fourth generation test are more accurate, but false positive and false negative results can happen for many reasons.
False positive results can happen if:
- the testing sample is contaminated
- the lab misreads or mislabels the test
- youve been part of a HIV vaccine study
Keep in mind, testing blood versus saliva may also affect accuracy of results.
If you receive a positive result, your doctor or clinic where you were tested will recommend a second test to confirm results. This will guide next steps in the process.
There are many options to get tested for HIV with the fourth generation test, including free clinics.
Some options include:
- sexual health clinic
- community health center
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website has a search tool to locate the nearest testing site by zip code.
Generally, there are no risks to the fourth generation test. Its exactly like any normal blood work or testing done by your healthcare provider during regular checkups.
Occasionally, there may be rare complications:
Let your healthcare provider know if youre afraid of needles and if you have any blood disorders that might increase your risk when blood is drawn. If you have any problems after the blood draw, contact the medical office where the test was done.
When Can You Get A 4th Generation Hiv Test
Currently there no HIV tests that can detect the presence of HIV immediately.
Once someone is exposed to the virus, the body starts producing antibodies, this is called seroconversion. HIV tests cant reliably detect the virus during the window period the time from when a person gets the infection to when tests can detect the virus.
This time can vary from person to person. Testing too early will give false negative results, meaning you have the virus, but you test negative.
In some people, the virus can be detected within 2 weeks of exposure, depending on the type of test. The fourth generation test can detect p24 within 1 month of exposure. If you test before the average window period of 18 days, you may get a false negative test.
If you think youve been exposed to HIV, its important to contact your healthcare provider or visit a health clinic to get tested and begin prevention treatment if needed. If you receive a negative test, be sure to do a follow-up test.
Your healthcare provider may start you on the pre-exposure prophylaxis medication protocol as a prevention measure. PrEP medications can reduce the risk for infection, if started within 72 hours of high risk exposure.
The fourth generation test is reliable and highly accurate.
The reliability of tests depends on:
- when you get tested
- which test is used
- the individual
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Discusses Physiology Pathophysiology And General Clinical Aspects As They Relate To A Laboratory Test
AIDS is caused by 2 known types of HIV. HIV type 1 is found in patients with AIDS or AIDS-related complex and in asymptomatic infected individuals at high risk for AIDS. The virus is transmitted by sexual contact, by exposure to infected blood or blood products, or from an infected mother to her fetus or infant. HIV type 2 infection is endemic only in West Africa, and it has been identified in individuals who had sexual relations with individuals from that geographic region. HIV-2 is similar to HIV-1 in viral morphology, overall genomic structure, and its ability to cause AIDS.
Antibodies against HIV-1 and HIV-2 are usually not detectable until 6 to 12 weeks following exposure and are almost always detectable by 12 months. They may fall to undetectable levels in the terminal stage of AIDS when the patient’s immune system is severely depressed.
Routine serologic screening of patients at risk for HIV-1 or HIV-2 infection usually begins with a HIV-1/-2 antigen and/or antibody screening test, which may be performed by various FDA-approved assay methods, including rapid HIV antibody tests, enzyme immunoassays, and chemiluminescent immunoassays. In testing algorithms that begin with these methods, supplemental or confirmatory testing should be requested only for specimens that are repeatedly reactive by these methods according to assay manufacturers’ instructions for use.
There Are Three Main Tests:
- Fourth Generation: The 4th generation test, is a type of blood test which takes about 3-5 days to get the results. This test is sensitive enough to detect HIV in your blood 2 weeks after a possible exposure. Offered almost everywhere.
- Rapid test :Both tests take about 20 minutes to get the results. This test will provide you with results 6 to 8 weeks after an exposure.
- Blood test is a finger stick a small amount of blood is taken from the tip of the finger and mixed in a solution. There are both 4th and 3rd generation rapid tests.
- Oral test a small amount of saliva from a persons mouth is obtained using a cotton swab that looks like a toothbrush. You can buy this test at a pharmacy. We strongly encourage people to get tested in a clinic or at your primary care providers office for additional support and education.
If any preliminary test is positive, the NAT blood test is done to confirm that the person is HIV positive.
Its important to know there are three types of results that can come from a rapid test: invalid, non-reactive and reactive.
The third and last part of testing is getting your results and talking about what those results mean for the future. No matter which test a person chooses to do, its very important to always get your results!
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What Does A Non Reactive Hiv Test Result Mean
You have received a non-reactive HIV test result today. This almost always means you are not living with HIV. Does a non-reactive result mean I definitely do not have HIV? There is a period between the time of getting HIV and the time that an HIV test can detect HIV infection.
A non-reactive Hepatitis B surface antigen test means you are NOT INFECTED with the hepatitis B virus. 2. Hepatitis B Surface Antibody: NON-REACTIVE
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.
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