HIV Testing: Everything You Need to Know

Discovering an infection with AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is extremely crucial early on. This enables the affected individual to initiate treatment on time, thereby gaining a longer and healthier life. It also aids in taking necessary steps to prevent the transmission of the virus to other individuals. 

What is HIV Testing?

An HIV test, or HIV analysis, is an examination aimed at detecting a person's infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This virus is one of the viruses transmitted through sexual contact or exposure to the blood or other body fluids of an infected person. It attacks the person's immune system, causing the body to lose its ability to fight any infections it may encounter. 

Although infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus does not initially cause any symptoms, and the early symptoms may resemble those of the flu, several tests can detect the presence of the virus in the blood or body fluids of the infected person. In the following paragraphs, we will elaborate on these tests in detail. 

What are the types of HIV testing?

Various types of HIV tests can detect the presence of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus in the body. Here are the most prominent ones:

• Antibody Tests

This test helps detect the presence of antibodies to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus in the blood, saliva, or urine of the infected person. 

Antibodies are disease-fighting proteins the immune system produces when exposed to an infection. The test can reveal their presence as early as 23 days after infection, but the body may take up to 90 days to produce enough for them to appear in the test. 

Antibody tests for HIV can be conducted using various methods:

1. Lab tests: use a blood sample taken from a vein.
2. Rapid tests: use a blood sample taken from the finger or saliva or urine sample.
3. At-home tests: self-administered rapid tests involving swabbing the gums to collect a sample of oral fluids. 

• Antigen/Antibody Test

This is the most commonly used HIV test, searching for antibodies to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and antigens in the body.

Antigens are parts of the virus that stimulate the immune system to fight infection. Antigens typically appear in the blood faster than antibodies. Therefore, this test can detect the virus early, around 18 - 45 days after exposure. 

The methods for conducting this test include:

1. Lab tests: use a blood sample taken from a vein.
2. Rapid test: use a blood sample taken from the finger. 

• Nucleic Acid (NAT) Test

This test can detect the ribonucleic acid (RNA) of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV RNA) in the person's blood, also known as the HIV viral load. 

Here are some facts about the NAT test:

• The test is performed by drawing a blood sample from a vein. 
• This test is the most sensitive compared to other types. 
• It is recommended for individuals recently exposed to the virus, showing early symptoms, but with negative results in antibody or antigen/antibody tests. 
• This test can detect HIV infection within the first four weeks after exposure before antibodies develop in the body. 
• Often, this test is performed to monitor the response to HIV treatment rather than for routine screening due to its high cost. 

Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?

No preparation is needed for any of the HIV tests mentioned earlier, except to follow any instructions provided by the doctor. 

Is HIV testing associated with any risks?

HIV tests are not associated with any risks. The only discomfort a person may experience is mild pain or bruising at the needle insertion site for blood withdrawal. 

How long does it take for the test results to appear?

Depending on the type of HIV test conducted, the timing for result appearance varies, as follows:

• The rapid antibody test, which collects a blood sample from the finger or saliva, takes 30 minutes or less.
• The rapid antibody/antigen test, which collects a blood sample from the finger, takes 30 minutes or less.
• Results for the Nucleic Acid Test (NAT), antigen/antibody lab tests (using a blood sample from a vein), and Antibody lab tests (using a blood sample from a vein) appear within several days.
• Results for the self-test (home-based) appear within 20 minutes. 

How are the results interpreted?

Results can be interpreted as follows:

• Negative Result: This means the person is negative, and no traces of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus were found in the sample. However, it's important to note that a negative result does not always mean the person is not infected; the person may be infected, but it is too early to appear in the test. The test should be repeated at a later time.
• Positive Result: This means evidence of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus has been found in the body, and further tests should be repeated. 

Finally, dear reader, it's worth mentioning that the sexually transmitted infections package offered by Blazma helps easily and accurately detect many sexually transmitted diseases. This package includes 11 tests, with HIV testing being one of the highlights. The sample can be collected from home or work at your convenience.