HIV Testing - Types
To find out whether somebody is infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), it is important to conduct a HIV tests. There are several types of HIV tests available including an antibody test, antigen test, viral load test or PCR test and home access test. Let us examine them one by one.
HIV antibody test
One of the most appropriate and common HIV tests is the antibody tests. These are low-cost tests but come out extremely accurately. The most popular among the antibody tests is ELISA. Once an individual is infected with HIV, his body starts to produce antibodies, a special protein element, to fight infection. When the antibody test is conducted, the objective is to look for these elements in urine, blood and saliva. In case, an antibody is detected, it becomes evident that the person has contracted HIV AIDS. The only exception is infants born to women who are infected by HIV. There are chances that he may be actually HIV negative, but as babies carry their mother's antibodies for 18-20 months, it is essential to test him/her through another test called the PCR test to confirm whether he has really contacted this disease. In most cases, the antivirus develops within 3 months of the infection.
HIV antigen test
Antigens are elements that are generally identified on a foreign body. In other words, they are germs that produce antibodies in the body. It is the P24 proteins that stir the HIV antigens. In the initial stages, an excess of this protein is produced in the blood serum. However, antigen tests are not always the most accurate method for detecting HIV. In fact, it can be tracked within a very brief period from the time of the infection till the time the antibodies are formed. This is one obvious reason why modern antigen tests are often combined with the main antibody test for more accurate results.
PCR Test
The full form of PCR test is Polymerase Chain Reaction test. This test can identify the genetic properties of HIV instead of the antibodies to the virus. This means that this test can detect HIV infection in the blood. It is also called the viral loads test and should be take within 2-3 weeks of the infection. As mentioned earlier, new babies who are born to mothers suffering from HIV infections are tested through this method, because they retain the antibodies of their mothers for over a year. These tests are considered to be quite expensive and are more complex when compared to a standard antibody test.
HIV home testing
It is ideally suggested that an HIV test should be taken in a hospital or healthcare center as home-testing kits are also prohibited in some countries. In countries where home access testing kits are available, a person can take his blood sample and interpret the result in a few seconds. If the kit shows a positive result, it means he is affected. However, he should always go for a confirmatory HIV test from the hospital and consult the doctor immediately.