Handy guide on HIV AIDS Tests

1. Handy guide on HIV AIDS Tests An overview on HIV Tests HIV AIDS tests are clinical procedures used to determine if a person is affected with ‘Human Immunodeficiency Virus’, abbreviated as HIV. Tests can only be used to detect HIV but it cannot tell how long have been the person infected with the virus. Untimely detection of HIV can lead to a condition called Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or ‘AIDS’ which causes progressive failure of the immune system and aids cure has not been found till date. Several types of tests can be used to confirm HIV; however, most are not able to detect HIV immediately as the body can take up to 6 months to develop antibodies or virus to grow. Types of HIV Tests There are different types of tests some check for antibodies in the immune system against the HIV infection while some check for the evidence of the virus. Rapid HIV tests can give results in just 20minutes. Below are the types of HIV tests: ➢ Antibody Screening Test • This test is used to check a type of protein that the human body makes against the HIV infection, two to eight weeks of catching infection. • The test is commonly called ELISA or Immunoassay test. • Elisa test results are mostly accurate but this test is not suitable for early detection. ➢ Antibody/Antigen Combination Tests • These tests are used to check a protein called p24, an HIV antigen, which is a part of the virus that usually shows up as soon as after two-four weeks of infection. ➢ RNA Test • This test is used to check for the virus itself and is capable of detecting HIV in around 10 days of infection exposure. • The test is expensive and so is not used as the first test but doctor may recommend this if patient exhibit hiv symptoms. ➢ Tests at Home Tests at home can be done in either of the two ways: • Sending across the blood sample to a pathology and get test reports, or • Collecting a sample of oral fluid at home and using a home kit to test all by your own.

2. When and Who should get tested? The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that anyone who is between 13 to 64 years of age and is at high risk should get tested every year. However, bisexual men and sexually active gay must consider testing at every 3 to 6 months. Who should get tested depends on certain factors that increase the risk of the infection. These factors are: • Having sexual intercourse with a HIV infected person or whose HIV status is unknown. • Using used syringes, needles and other drug equipments • Exchanging sex for drugs or money • Suffering with Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) like Syphilis • Suffering with Tuberculosis or Hepatitis • Person who has been assaulted sexually • Having sexual intercourse with anyone who has any of the risk factors How should one prepare for the test? There is no special preparation required for undergoing HIV test. One can take up test in any good pathology or book a HIV test online. HIV test are cent percent confidential so you can rest assured that no one would disclose your identity. How to read tests? Although, doctor is the best person to read the test but the hiv test reports can be read by anyone. Result shows either positive or negative. If the test result is ‘NEGATIVE’ Negative test results mean one of the two things: ➢ Either you do not have HIV ➢ Or It is too soon to tell (also called FALSE NEGATIVE) ➢ If you feel you have been recently exposed to HIV then test result may be negative because your body has yet not created the required antibodies. In this case you need to take up the test again after few months.

3. If the test result is ‘POSITIVE’ ➢ Though there is no cure for HIV/AIDS till date but timely treatment can extend and improve the quality of life. ➢ Early detection can delay the onset of AIDS and help you to stay well. ➢ Well treated patients can have near to normal life expectancy. You Are Pregnant. Why Should You Get Tested? All pregnant women should be tested for HIV so that they can begin treatment if they're HIV-positive. If a woman is treated for HIV early in her pregnancy, the risk of transmitting HIV to her baby can be very low. Testing pregnant women for HIV infection, treating those who are infected, and treating their babies with antiretroviral therapy (ART) after delivery have led to a big decline in the number of children born with HIV. The treatment is most effective for preventing HIV transmission to babies when started as early as possible during pregnancy. If pregnant women are treated for HIV early in their pregnancy, the risk of transmitting HIV to their baby can be 1% or less. However, there are still great health benefits to beginning preventive treatment even during labor or shortly after the baby is born. Conclusion HIV is an infection that can be transmitted through the body fluids of the infected person to the healthy person through unprotected sex, sharing needles/syringes/drug equipments; hence one should make sure to adopt adequate prevention techniques. However, this does not mean that you cannot sit, talk or need to avoid the person. Early detection of HIV can help the doctors to start the necessary medication in time which improves the quality of life.

4. Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV https://www.webmd.com/hiv-aids/hiv-aids-screening#1 https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hiv-testing/about/pac-20385018 https://aidsinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv-aids/fact-sheets/19/47/hiv-testing