AIDS Blood Test :TestAIDS.org

Test For AIDS With At Home AIDS Test

Many people are worried about the possibility that they might have aids. There are many different ways to prevent this diagnosis, of course, but some people may get HIV through no fault of their own.



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AIDS Blood Test Helps Prevent Spread of HIV/AIDS

With the continuing rise in AIDS cases all over the world, AIDS testing has become a significant and imperative tool in identifying and decreasing the number of AIDS cases. The main goal of an AIDS test is to detect the presence of the HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus inside a person’'s body. Different specimens (blood serum, saliva, urine) and different protocols and machineries are used to determine the presence of HIV. However, the most commonly used form of testing is the AIDS blood test.

In an AIDS blood test, the human blood is used as the main specimen. The blood is directly extracted from the cardiovascular system, thus making it a very accurate specimen for laboratory analysis and diagnosis. With the blood alone, there are already several tests that can be done to ascertain the presence of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Some of these tests are the HIV Antibody Test, The PCR Test and the Western Blot.

In a HIV Antibody Test, the blood is examined for any HIV-specific antibodies that would otherwise be absent in an uninfected individual. When the virus infiltrates and infects the body, certain homeostatic mechanisms are triggered to combat the infiltration and infection. One of the mechanisms is the production of special proteins called antibodies that specifically attack the foreign virus. However, these antibodies do not appear immediately. It may take 6 weeks to 3 months before the body produces any detectable antibodies. In some rare cases, it may take up to six months for the body to react to the infection and produce the needed antibodies. That is why two separate positive results are needed before the person is declared to be positive. Regardless of this fact, this is still one of the most accurate and one of the most inexpensive laboratory tests available for AIDS confirmation and diagnosis.

AIDS Test

The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PRC) Test also uses blood as its specimen but instead of searching for antibodies, it detects the genetic RNA of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The main advantage of this laboratory test is the time-frame. Since the PRC test detects the genetic material of the virus itself and not the antibody, it can already give a confirmatory result within 2 to 3 weeks of infection. However, it is not used as commonly as the HIV Antibody Test because of the high cost, the complicated procedures and protocols, and the difficulty in interpreting the results accurately.

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AIDS Testing Labs

Western Blot, on the other hand, is considered to be the gold standard laboratory exam for confirming and AIDS diagnosis. It is a combination of both the antibody and the polymerase chain reaction tests. It detects both the antibodies and the genetic proteins produced by the virus. It takes only 5 days to a week for the results to come in, are extremely accurate, and cost lower than either the antibody or the polymerase chain reaction test.

 

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AIDS Testing at Home

A recent trend is the use of Home Testing Kits. Though testing is usually carried out in a healthcare setting (laboratories, clinics, hospitals, etc.), home kits are available for people who do not have the time to arrange an appointment for on-the-spot testing. With the use of kits, the person just needs to collect a specimen (blood, urine, or saliva), send it to a laboratory and wait for the results to be mailed. It is still encouraged, however, that you visit a physician after getting the results.

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