Positive Friends Home Page Think Positive!

HIV / AIDS

What tests are available to see if someone is infected with HIV?

The most common type of test is an HIV antibody test. These tests are done by taking blood and seeing if there are antibodies to HIV (the immune system’s response to infection). The basic procedure consists of a first test, called ELISA, which stands for enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assay. A positive result means that HIV antibodies are present and it is then assumed, so is HIV. If the result is positive, the test is repeated. If the second ELISA is positive, a more sensitive confirmatory test is then conducted. This is usually a Wesyern Blot or IFA (immuniflourescent assay). If the confirmatory test is positive, the individual is then told they are infected with HIV. If the initial ELISA is negative, no other tests are performed and the individual is considered HIV negative.

More recently, an oral test has been developed and is being used more and more, particularly in non-clinic settings. The OraSure test consists of taking a swab from inside the cheek and gums in order to draw HIV antibodies out of the tissues. The virus itself is rarely found in oral fluid.  This type of sample is called mucosal ransudate. The OraSure test is considered to be as accurate as the blood tests, both of which have better than 99% accuracy.

A newer, rapid antibody test has also been developed, called OraQuick. Typically, this has been used with blood samples (from a finger prick) and results can be obtained in 20-40 minutes. The newest version, the OraQuick Advanced test, uses an oral- fluid swab and is just as rapid as the blood version.

This question has been viewed 1525 times so far.

Click Here to View all the questions in HIV / AIDS category.

Related Questions

1. What is AIDS?
2. Who is really at greatest risk for getting HIV?
3. How many people have AIDS?
4. Are Semen and Vaginal Secretions the only fluids that can carry the AIDS virus?
5. How easy is HIV to catch?
6. For additional information about AIDS and HIV
7. Are there medical treatments for people with HIV disease?
8. How many people have HIV/AIDS?
9. I’ve heard a lot of different things about HIV surviving outside the body. What is the truth?
10. Are there any morning after pills to prevent transmission of AIDS in the case that a condom has broken?
11. Can I get HIV from kissing?
12. If I have HIV, can I get another STI?
13. Does having HIV mean my life can never be normal again?
14. How can I tell if someone has HIV?
15. What medications are available for HIV?
16. What are the symptoms of HIV?
17. Can I get HIV from a blood transfusions?
18. What can a pregnant woman do if she thinks she has been exposed to HIV?
19. How do you prevent HIV transmission among injection drug users?
20. Where can I get tested for HIV?
21. Is there a cure for HIV and AIDS?
22. What is the best way to prevent sexual transmission of HIV?
23. How could I get HIV?
24. Why are these called “opportunistic infections?”
25. Are there other ways of testing for HIV?
26. Is HIV fatal for everyone who has it?
27. How can I tell if I have HIV?
28. Can I get HIV from performing oral sex?
29. What are some of the common AIDS-defining conditions?
30. How does HIV lead to AIDS?
31. What is HIV?
32. Does this mean that everyone infected with HIV is going to die from it?
33. When are there symptoms?
34. What if I have HIV?
35. Can I get HIV from mosquitoes?
36. If a woman living with HIV is pregnant, will the pregnancy affect the progression of her HIV disease? What about passing it to the fetus?
37. What is a retrovirus?
38. What does HIV do?
39. Can I get HIV by donating blood?
40. Are any tests available for someone who already knows they are infected with HIV?
41. If someone is infected with HIV but they do not get sick from it, can they still transmit it to others?
42. Is there a difference between HIV and AIDS?
43. Should I be tested?
44. How can I avoid getting HIV?