HIV is a virus known as the human immunodeficiency virus. It is the virus that causes AIDS, the acquired immunodeficiency disease syndrome. AIDS represents the advanced stages of an HIV infection. According to the National Library of Medicine, most HIV infections occur through unprotected sex with a person who is infected with HIV. It can also be contracted through contact with the blood of an infected person and using shared needles to inject drugs. Mothers can pass HIV to babies during birth and pregnancy. There are different types of tests to check for HIV.
Antibody Tests
When HIV infects the body, the body reacts by producing antibodies to fight the infection. There are two main tests that check for the presence of these antibodies in the bloodstream. These tests are called the Western blot and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. These tests are usually performed on blood drawn from the person being tested; however, these tests can also be performed on urine and oral fluid samples. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the accuracy of tests performed on urine samples is less than tests performed on blood and oral fluid.
Rapid Tests
Rapid tests are also designed to check for antibodies for HIV but are designed to yield quick results, usually in about 20 minutes. These tests can be performed on blood drawn from a vein or taken from a finger with a prick.
Home Test Kits
These kits are not actual tests for HIV; instead, they are kits designed to help people collect samples to be tested. Blood is taken from a finger with a prick and placed on a special card. The card is mailed to a laboratory where it is tested. A phone call can be made to obtain test results.
RNA Tests
RNA tests check for the genetic material that is present in the HIV virus. These tests can be used to check for the HIV virus soon after a person has been infected. At this stage, the body may not have produced enough antibodies to produce a positive result in tests that check for antibodies. Because RNA tests check for HIV genetic material, they can produce a positive result before the build-up of antibodies.This test can also be used to check donated blood that is headed for blood banks.
