HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a virus transmitted through bodily fluids. There are several types of tests available to determine if you are HIV positive. When a person is HIV positive, they may eventually develop AIDS, which is a fatal disease. The earlier you get tested to determine if you have HIV, the longer your life span will be if you start on a medication management program as soon as possible.
Enzyme Immunoassay Test
The standard type of test is the enzyme immunoassay test (EIA), in which a clinician takes blood from the patient and sends it to labs to get tested for HIV antibodies, according to EhealthMD.com. This test is very accurate in its results; however, the accuracy depends on the person's stage of infection, EhealthMD.com reports. For example, if you became infected with HIV yesterday, it will not show up on the EIA test. It usually takes three to six months to be able to determine if you have the HIV antibodies in your system after exposure to the virus. The Western blot test is a set of blood tests used to confirm the EIA screening test by testing for HIV antibodies, according to EhealthMD.com, and this test can take up to two weeks to get results back.
Rapid HIV Test
The Rapid HIV Test produces results within 10 minutes. This test is being used more frequently because of its fast results, according to EhealthMD.com. If the test is negative, the patient may leave. However, if the test is positive, the patient must get the Western blot test to confirm or deny results, EhealthMD.com reports.
Home Kit Test
An FDA-approved home test kit can be found at most local drug stores. It involves pricking your finger with a device, placing drops of blood on a card, and then mailing the card to a testing facility, according to EhealthMD.com. Patients are given an identification number to ensure confidentiality.
Oral Tests
Oral tests are when the inside of the mouth is swabbed and the saliva is tested for HIV antibodies. This is an accurate test, again, depending on the patient's level of infection, according to EhealthMD.com. If this test comes back positive, the patient must be tested with the Western blot to confirm that there are HIV antibodies in the body, according to EhealthMD.com.
Urine Based Tests
A urine-based test is also available at clinics and doctors' offices. It is less accurate than blood or saliva-based tests, according to EhealthMD.com. Positive results must be confirmed by a Western blot test.
