HIV Testing

'Once a person is infected with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), there is not way out'. This is what is known about this deadly medical condition. Once this virus invades the immune system, it keeps on damaging it part by part, until the person develops AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). CD4 cells are the immune systems' primary sentries that protect the body from infection. HIV attacks these very cells, reducing their number to such an extent, that the affected person may be left with no protection against the mildest of illnesses; a common cold for example. It takes generally about 10 years, for the HIV to progress to AIDS, if the patient is on no treatment. By this time, the number of CD4 cells becomes lower than 200, leaving the person completely exposed to, as said, the mildest of infection. Although the disease has no cure, there are drugs that significantly slow down its progress, and extend the life expectancy of the patient. So, the sooner the treatment is begun, the better are the chances to manage the symptoms, and make living with the condition easier. And for this, HIV testing is what is required.

How is HIV Diagnosed?

People go for HIV testing if they suspect that they may have come in contact with blood, had unprotected sex, or had used unsterilized syringes. Some people may suffer from abnormal symptoms, and when they go in for a medical check up, they end up knowing that they have been infected.

One of the most important facts about HIV testing is, any test when done immediately after the infection, would provide an inaccurate or a negative result, even if the person has been infected by the virus. This is because, the body takes up to 3 months to develop antibodies in response to the invasion of the virus. This period is known as the HIV testing window period. In some cases, it has been found that this period comes up to 6 months. So this is the reason people are recommended to go for the test three months after they have been exposed to the virus. Also, another must-know fact is, from the moment a person is exposed to the virus, he becomes a potential transmitter, even during the window period.

With the ongoing researches going for HIV/AIDS, scientists have come to know that, once the virus infects the body, it produces antigen; a type of protein. So to detect this protein, experts have developed a newer type of test checks. These tests are known to produce confirmed diagnosis within days of infection. There are many centers which also provide free HIV testing for people, and these results are kept confidential.

Types of Testing
The testing is done using a blood sample, or by obtaining a sample of cells taken from inside the cheek. This is to determine the presence of antibodies to the virus, once the window period is over. The types of testing procedures which come into the picture include:

• Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay Test (ELISA) - Once this test confirms the presence of the antibodies, then the patient would have to undergo another test to confirm the presence of HIV proteins. Usually, it takes about a few days to a few weeks to get the results.
• Rapid HIV Testing - As the name suggests, this testing is known to provide accurate results, and all it takes is a mere 20 minutes.
• Home HIV Testing - Here, the subject has to mail a drop of his/her blood. He/she is then required to call up a toll-free number to get the results. The results are delivered within three to seven business days.

After Diagnosis

Once the person has been diagnosed with an HIV infection, he/she undergoes different test procedures so as to determine which stage the disease is at presently.

• The first test includes the determination of the CD4 cells, about which I have already briefed you on in the above segment. If the test confirms the count to be somewhere around 500 - 1000, then the test is negative. However, as I have mentioned, if the count goes down to 200 or less, then the result would be otherwise.
• The next procedure is for determining the amount of virus in the blood. This is known as the viral load test.
• Then there is another test which helps in finding out if the strain of the HIV of the subject, has developed resistance to any anti-viral drugs.

This would be all about the various testing methods which help to determine how far has the HIV infection progressed. So it is always better to get tested than to shy away from it.