HIV testing remains an integral part of public health efforts to control the spread of HIV/AIDS and provide early treatment for people with the illness. Different types of HIV tests detect HIV antigens or antibodies. An HIV antigen is a component...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Of the more than 1 million persons in the United States living with HIV/AIDS, an estimated 21 percent are unaware they are infected." Early testing of individuals who have been exposed...
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that affects the small intestine. Gluten, the protein found in wheat, rye and barley, causes the immune system to attack the small intestine in individuals with celiac disease. Testing and an accurate...
An autoantibody may be thought of as an antibody against one's own cells, tissues, or organs. An antibody, in turn, is a protein produced by the immune system to fight off invading micro-organisms that may cause disease or damage. If a person has...
The time between the date of infection and when a test will produce a positive result is called the "window period." The testing method is one of the factors in determining what an individuals window period may be. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus...
According to the American Academy of Rheumatology, antinuclear (ANA) bodies refer to proteins that form in your body and attack the normal proteins in your cells. A blood test called a fluorescent antinuclear antibody test (FANA) is available to...
Common diagnostic tests used to diagnose problems within the musculoskeletal system use blood and urine samples. Both can reveal levels of various minerals and other substances indicating disease or a musculoskeletal disorder. Levels of certain...
AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is a condition that occurs in the late stages of HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus infection. Anyone who puts himself at risk for HIV should get tested. There are different tests available and many...
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Unlike Crohn's disease (another IBD), ulcerative colitis (UC) occurs only in the colon and affects only the superficial, mucosal lining. Symptoms of UC usually present first in the rectum...
The thyroid is a small gland located in the neck. It is responsible for producing hormones, mainly tri-iodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These hormones play a role in regulating metabolism and body temperature. The activity of the thyroid...
Usually, an AIDS test is performed by taking a blood sample and evaluating it in a laboratory. To pull the sample, blood is drawn into a syringe via a needle injected into the arm. The blood sample is sent to a laboratory, where it is evaluated...
Herpes simplex is a disease that affects the mouth or genital region, according to Medline Plus. Herpes simplex virus 1 begins in childhood, and affects the lips, face and mouth. Herpes simplex 2 is sexually transmitted, and leads to genital...
The World Health Organization estimated in 1999 that nearly one million people worldwide contracted a new sexually transmitted disease, or STD, every day. Doctors use several different tests to look for STDs based on the characteristics of the...
OraQuick Rapid HIV Test for Oral Fluid Frequently Asked Questions What’s the significance of the FDA’s approval of the OraQuick rapid HIV test for oral fluid in March of 2004? The FDA has approved the OraQuick Advance HIV Antibody...
Symptoms of gluten sensitivity can range from mild to severe, with celiac disease being an inability to consume gluten. To obtain a definitive diagnosis of celiac disease, a blood test is usually the first step. If you are sensitive to gluten,...
Many frequently asked questions and misconceptions about HIV and AIDS exist. The Center for Disease Control reports 35,962 cases of AIDS and 14,110 deaths among people living with HIV in the United States in 2007. You should understand the facts...
If you think you have put yourself at risk for HIV, it is important to get tested. The Body states that about 180,000 to 280,000 Americans do not know they are infected. You can go to your doctor, call your local health department or find a...
Having a food intolerance is not the same thing as having a food allergy. People often inaccurately use these 2 terms interchangeably, but they're actually different. A food intolerance involves the digestive system, while a food allergy involves...
Your doctor will start with a physical exam to determine the likelihood that a strain of the measles virus is the cause of your symptoms. Both common measles and German measles (also known as 3-day measles) have a characteristic skin rash, which...
The diagnosis of celiac disease can sometimes be difficult. Celiac is also known as "the great imitator" because many of its symptoms can resemble those of numerous other health conditions. Some people will experience skin rashes, others may have...
Herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus, which comes in two strains--HSV-1 and HSV-2. Herpes can infect the mucosa of the genital tissues or the mouth and can also spread to the eyes. Herpes testing can be done to see if a patient is...
According to the March of Dimes, more than 90 percent of the approximately 9,000 U.S. children diagnosed with AIDS since 1985 contracted the virus from their mother during pregnancy or birth. Preventative measures can greatly reduce a pregnant...
AIDS is a chronic incurable disease that is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV is contracted through sexual contact, contaminated blood or blood products, contamination through intravenous needle sharing and via mother-to-child...
If you are interested in being tested for HIV, there are a number of options available. HIV tests can be performed within a medical facility or in the comfort of your own home. Depending on the type of HIV test you choose, your results may be...
Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is a virus that replicates quickly within the human body and devastates the immune system, leaving the body open for opportunistic infections. HIV has infected humans in record numbers since 1981 when the...
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that affects the joints. There is no cure. While this is a lifelong condition, patients do experience periods of remission, when there aren't any symptoms, as well as flare-ups, in which symptoms return....
AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is a chronic life long disease caused by the HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) virus. By damaging your immune system, HIV interferes with your body's ability to fight off viruses, bacteria and fungi that...
Many medical conditions, including different osteoarthritis and other forms of arthritis, result in physical symptoms such as joint pain and inflammation similar to those seen in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To complicate early diagnosis,...
Gluten is a storage protein found in common grains such as wheat, barley and rye. When your body reacts negatively to the ingestion of this protein, you may have a gluten allergy or intolerance. A more severe form of gluten intolerance called...
Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness that causes signs and symptoms ranging from rash and flu-like fever and body aches to more serious ones including joint swelling, weakness, fatigue and temporary paralysis. Lyme disease is caused by the...
Autoimmune disorders are conditions that occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. There are more than 80 different types of autoimmune disorders. Learn about the various autoimmune disorders including...
