Testing for HIV
HIV and Its Treatment – Testing for HIV
Testing for HIV
I may have been exposed to HIV. What
should I do?
Get tested. e only way to know if you’re infected with the
virus is to get an HIV test.
Soon after infection with HIV, a person may have u-like
symptoms. But HIV infection isn’t diagnosed on the basis of
symptoms. Getting tested is the only way to know if you’re
infected with HIV.
What is the most common HIV test?
e most common HIV test is the
HIV antibody test
. HIV
antibodies are a type of protein the body produces in
response to HIV infection. e HIV antibody test checks for
HIV antibodies in a person’s blood, urine, or uids from the
mouth.
Generally it takes the body about 3 months from the time of
infection to produce enough antibodies to be detected by an
HIV antibody test. (For some people, it can take up to 6
months.) e time period between infection and the
appearance of detectable HIV antibodies is called the
window
period
. Because HIV antibodies are not detectable yet, the
HIV antibody test isn’t useful during the window period.
What HIV test is used during the window period? plasma HIV RNA test
(also called a viral load test) can
detect HIV in a person’s blood within 9 days of infection,
before the body develops detectable HIV antibodies. plasma HIV RNA test is recommended when recent
infection is very likely—for example, soon after a person has
had unprotected sex
with a partner infected with HIV.
Detecting HIV at the earliest stage of infection lets people
take steps right away to prevent
transmission of HIV
. (See the Preventing Transmission of HIV fact sheet.) is is important because immediately after infection the amount of
HIV in the body is very high, increasing the risk of transmission of HIV. Starting treatment at this earliest stage
of infection also can be considered.
What does it mean to test HIV positive?
A diagnosis of HIV is made on the basis of positive results
from
two
HIV tests.
rst test can be either an HIV
antibody test (using blood, urine, or uids from the mouth)
or a plasma HIV RNA test (using blood). e second test
(always using blood) is a dierent type of antibody test called
a
Western blot
test. A positive Western blot test conrms
that a person has HIV.
How long does it take to get HIV test results?
Results of the rst antibody test are generally available within
a few days. (
Rapid HIV antibody tests
can produce results
within an hour.) Results of the plasma HIV RNA test and
Western blot are available in a few days to a few weeks.
If I test HIV positive now, will I always test HIV
positive?
Yes. ere’s no cure for HIV at this time. Because you will
always be infected with the virus, you will always test HIV
positive. But treatment with anti-HIV medications can help
you live a longer, healthier life.
Terms Used in This Fact Sheet:
HIV antibody test:
An HIV test that checks for HIV
antibodies in a person’s blood, urine, or fluids from the
mouth. HIV antibodies are a type of protein the body
produces in response to HIV infection.
Mother-t
o-child transmission of HIV:
The passing of HIV
from a woman infected with HIV to her baby during
pregnancy, during labor and delivery, or by breastfeeding.
Plasma HIV RNA test (viral load test):
A test that
measures the amount of HIV in the blood. This test is
used to detect recent HIV infection or to measure viral
load at any stage of HIV infection.
Rapid HIV antibody test:
An HIV antibody test that can
detect HIV antibodies in blood or oral fluids in less than
30 minutes.
Transmission of HIV:
The spread of HIV from a person
infected with HIV to another person through the infected
person’s blood, semen, genital fluids, or breast milk.
Unprotected sex:
Sex without using a condom.
Viral load:
The amount of HIV in the blood. One of the
goals of antiretroviral therapy is to reduce viral load.
Western blot:
A type of antibody test used to confirm a
positive HIV antibody or plasma HIV RNA test. Window period:
The time period between a person's
infection with HIV and the appearance of detectable HIV
antibodies.
This information is based on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’
Guidelines for the Use of
Reviewed
Antiretroviral Agents in HIV-1-Infected Adults and Adolescents
available at
http://aidsinfo.nih.gov/guidelines
If a pregnant woman tests positive for HIV,
will her baby be born with HIV?
In the United States and Europe, fewer than 2 babies in 100
born to mothers infected with HIV are infected with the
virus. is is because anti-HIV medications given to women
infected with HIV during pregnancy and delivery and to
their babies after birth help prevent
mother-to-child
transmission of HIV
. Another reason is that, in the United
States and Europe, mothers infected with HIV do not
breastfeed their babies. (For more information, see the
HIV
and Pregnancy
fact sheet series.)
Where can I find information on HIV testing
in my state?
Many hospitals, medical clinics, and community
organizations oer HIV testing. To nd an HIV testing site
near you, contact AIDS
info
for the number of your state
AIDS hotline or visit
http://www.hivtest.org
/
. You can also
nd information on testing locations on your state health
department website.
For more information:
Contact an AIDS
info
health information specialist at 1–
800–448–0440 or visit
http://aidsinfo.nih.gov
. See your
health care provider for medical advice.
This information is based on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’
Guidelines for the Use of
Reviewed
Antiretroviral Agents in HIV-1-Infected Adults and Adolescents
available at
http://aidsinfo.nih.gov/guidelines
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