It is essential to be tested for HIV if you are in one of the high-risk groups, which include persons who are sexually active with multiple partners, intravenous users of illegal drugs, or a recipient of a recent drug transfusion. There are three types of HIV tests.
The first is the HIV antibody test. This test detects the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which is the virus that causes AIDS.
The P24 antigen test is the second type of test for HIV. It is mainly used to screen donated blood supplies, but in some countries it is also used for the testing of HIV on individuals. The P24 antigen is actually a protein that is comes from the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. When infection of the HIV occurs, this protein is produced excessively and can easily be detected by commercially testing the blood serum. The P24 test is very accurate and is able to detect HIV infection long before the HIV antibody test. In most cases the P24 antigen test is used to diagnose HIV early on in the course of infection.
The third type of test is known as the viral load test and is only used when a person already knows that he/she has been infected with HIV. This test shows the level of HIV found in the blood.
The HIV Testing Process
The HIV antibody test is used to screen a person’s blood for antibodies. HIV is a virus that enters a person’s body. It then produces chemicals called “antibodies”, which are created by the body in response to an infection. When a person tests positive for HIV antibodies in their blood, this signals that they have been infected with the virus. The only exception is the case of a baby born HIV negative when the mother is HIV positive. She will retain her antibodies for some time.
It takes about 3 months for these antibodies to develop in most people. There have been rare cases however, that have taken up to 6 months. It is highly unusual for antibodies to take longer than 6 months to develop.
Being tested for HIV before 3 months of the initial infection could result in a false or unclear test result, because the infected person may not have fully developed the antibodies to HIV in this time period. The time between infection of HIV and the development of the antibodies in the blood is referred to as “the window period”. During this window period, HIV infected people do not yet have the antibodies in their blood that can be detected by HIV testing. Although the antibodies have not been detected through testing, a person may already have high levels of HIV in their blood, breast milk or sexual fluids or breast milk. This is dangerous because if one is tested early on and the test comes back negative, it may still be positive after the window period. Even though it is not detected yet it can still be passed on from one person to another during this time period. It is always best to wait for the 3-month period prior to the time the person is at risk before taking this test. Most doctors and testing centers also recommend that you be re-tested again at 6 months, to make sure you do not have the virus.
During this time period, it is vital that those at risk individuals do not put themselves at risk again. The reason being that they only way this test can be accurate is if there are no other exposures during this time period of the exposure to HIV and the testing.
Taking the HIV antibody test is the only sure way to know if you have been infected with HIV as the symptoms are not a sure sign of the virus and have other causes.
Why should one take an HIV test?
Unfortunately many individuals who are tested for HIV begin to worry without need. By receiving a negative test result (meaning you are not infected with HIV) you can put your mind at rest. Also, if you do test positive for HIV there are still many things that can be done to help you take care of your physical and emotional well being.
This can be achieved as you work closely with your primary care physician. Fortunately, many people who are HIV positive are able to stay healthy for many years. If a person does begin to show the symptoms or become ill from HIV, you can be treated with one of the various drugs called “retro-virals” that are used to keep your immune system strong and slow down the effects of the virus. There are also medicines available that can be used to prevent as well as treat many of the illnesses caused by HIV. Also, there are many new drugs and treatments, which are in the trial phase, which are accessible to HIV patients.
When the symptoms of HIV arise, and you have been diagnosed HIV positive, your doctor will take your symptoms more seriously.
It is imperative at this point in time however to inform past sexual partners and in the future practice safe sex (by using condoms) so that you can protect other people from the transmission of HIV. The knowledge that one has tested positive for HIV becomes of great importance to making future decisions such as whether one will want to start a family and how this will affect loved ones.
How the HIV Testing works
To get tested for HIV you must find a Health Clinic or at a HIV/AIDS testing site (a VCT). You can find them in most countries around the world. In the United States of America many primary care physicians will offer HIV tests as well as OB/GYN doctors. There are even free clinics that offer HIV testing as well as counseling services. When you go to get tested you meet with a nurse, doctor or professional counselor in a private setting. This individual will explain how the test works and when you will receive the results.
During the process a small amount of blood will be drawn (from the arm). It is then sent to a laboratory to be tested. Oral tests are available in the USA, and are preferred as they avoid the need to use needles. Before you are tested for HIV you must sign a consent form. The test is kept confidential and no one can be told about the test without your permission. Because there are different types of tests, it can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to get your test results. In most cases you must go back to the doctor or clinic to get your test results as they are not given over the phone.
The only test that gives rapid results is the antibody test. This is the only test that does not require you to return to get your test results. The rapid test results are usually available in 30 minutes (approximately). Because they are single-use tests, they do not require laboratory facilities or a staff of highly trained professionals. The rapid tests are very suitable for countries with limited resources.
HIV Home Testing
We recommend that HIV testing be done in a health care setting in most cases. There are ‘home sampling’ test kits available in some countries though. The benefit of using a home sampling kit is that a person can take a sample of their blood and mail it to a lab to have it tested. The results can come as quickly as a few days, as an individual (usually a professional health care specialist) who uses an identification code will phone you. The person will identify herself/himself and then give you the test results over the phone and offer emotional support if the test comes back positive.
The advantages of 'home sampling' tests are anonymity, convenience, and speed. This option may be cost effective in countries where HIV tests are not free. The main and obvious disadvantage is the lack of face-to-face counseling before and after testing. In the USA there is one company that offers a home sampling kit that is FDA approved. In some countries, such as the UK it is illegal to use or sell any type of private testing kit.
Instant HIV test kits
Also available are instant HIV test kits, which offer results on the spot. These tests do not offer any counseling and are not recommended because they are not always accurate as well. This type of test is not recommended as they do not offer any emotional support for the individual taking the test and are not legal in many countries.
If you are in the United States and are in need of an
HIV test and do not have a primary care physician, contact
the Health Services Department in your county (for example:
in Los Angeles, CA – the Los Angeles County Department
of Health). You can also look for a local Planned Parenthood
Clinic or look in your local phone book for HIV/AIDS testing.
More Information:
HIV/AIDS
HIV Symptoms
