TYPES OF HIV TEST
1.Antibody tests
The most common HIV test is an antibody test.
Antibodies are part of your immune system that are produced when you come into contact with an infection. Antibody tests look for this immune response.
These tests can be finger-prick tests or use blood samples sent to a laboratory.
If this result is negative or non-reactive, then you are HIV negative.
If the result is positive this does not mean that you definitely have HIV, although it is likely. A small percentage of people can have a ‘false-positive’ result.
All positive results need to be confirmed by a second test.
In the UK a more sensitive antibody test called a western blot test is usually used to confirm a positive result. The western blot test takes longer (usually a week). It identifies genuine positive results.
HIV antibody tests do not work as soon as you are infected because it usually takes four weeks for your body to generate antibodies to HIV. The time between infection and when your body makes antibodies is called the ‘window period’.
Most people generate an antibody response within 4 weeks, but occasionally it can take longer. This is why people are advised to wait three months to take an HIV test, or to re-test three months after an earlier negative result.
Taking an antibody test less than 4 weeks after exposure will not tell you very much.
2.Combined antibody/antigen tests
It is now common for antibody tests to also test for antigens. These are called 4th generation tests or combined antibody/antigen (Ag/Ab) tests
In these tests the antigen being tested is a major HIV protein called p24.
p24 (short for protein 24) is produced 2–3 weeks after infection and before antibodies are produced. p24 levels are only detectable for the next 1–2 months. However, by the time the p24 levels have dropped antibodies will be present.
4th generation (Ag/Ab) tests are recommended four weeks after exposure. They give an earlier result than antibody-only tests that are recommended after six weeks.
4th generation tests detect over 95% of infections at four weeks after exposure.
As with antibody only tests, a small percentage of people (less than 5%) may have a delayed response to HIV. So a negative test at four weeks needs to be confirmed after three months.
3.Viral load (RNA PCR) test
PCR stands for Polymerase Chain Reaction. This test looks directly for HIV in blood. It has the shortest potential window period and can be used from 3 days to 4 weeks after an exposure.
Viral load tests are not recommended for HIV testing except in specific circumstances. This is because they are less accurate. They are also more expensive and take longer to get a result.
After infection, viral load is usually very high within the first 4 weeks and so this test can be used to confirm a suspected early infection if someone has symptoms.
If symptoms are related to HIV, then the viral load test will be positive. HIV symptoms are related to viral load.
However, some people have undetectable viral load without treatment, so a negative result does not guarantee that you do not have the virus.
By Maureen.
The anty body test is the common test used in our country where you go to the vct and confirm you health,,,here when a sample of your blood is taken and it gives two line thats mean you have the virus but when it just give one line it mean you are safe
ReplyDeleteThis antibody test is very important because it helps to tell one's status
ReplyDeleteI prefer the combined antibody test which deals with blood tests. It can detect HIV as soon as 20 days earlier than antibody screening tests. It checks for HIV antigen, a protein called p24 that's part of the virus that shows up 2-4 weeks after infection.
ReplyDeletethe first HIV protein The first HIV protein (antigen) that can be measured is p24 (from 1 to 8 weeks after exposure). Viral load and p24 tests are not accurate for diagnosing early HIV if the results are negative. An HIV antibody response can be detected as early as two weeks in a few people and in more than 99.9% of people by 12 weeks.
ReplyDeleteI like the combined antibody test since it does it fast and accorately because it deals with the blood
ReplyDeleteI like the combined antibody test since it does it fast and accorately because it deals with the blood
ReplyDeleteI like the combined antibody test since it does it fast and accorately because it deals with the blood
ReplyDeleteThe antibodies test helps one to get treatment at a early stage that if gotten to be positive
ReplyDeleteAccording to my view, antibody test remains to be the best because one recorgnises his/her status early and take the right measures in life...victor mutuku
ReplyDeleteAntibodies test is very important because it helps one to know the status..
ReplyDeleteBy Diana
antibody test is the best cause it helps one to know his status because it gives genuine results
ReplyDeletevictor mutua
. How soon each test can detect HIV infection differs, because each test has a different window period. The window period is the time between when a person gets HIV and when a test can accurately detect HIV infection......Benson wanjohi
ReplyDeleteAnn Nduta
ReplyDeleteThe antibody test is the best according to me as I do not have to wait longer hours for results
But ,is it true that their is a 99.9% test for HIV that takes 24hrs screening to get actual results ?
Antibody test is the most preferred since its fast and accurate.
ReplyDeleteMaureen
The body makes antibodies to try to fight HIV, although the antibodies cannot eradicate the virus. Antibody testing is often done in two parts. First a sensitive screening test is performed on the blood. If the screening test is positive, a second test is done to confirm that HIV antibodies are present. By Pauline mbithe
ReplyDeleteThe most common HIV test is antibody test as it is fast and mostly preffered by people.
ReplyDeleteAntibody test is the best way of knowing ones status since it is fast and accurate. This test is carried out countrywide and this makes it to be recommended.
ReplyDeleteMost people generate an antibody response within 4 weeks but it takes longer ..this is why they are advised to take the test again after 3 months to b sure of the result.. Zamzam
ReplyDeleteOn my own perception antibody test is the best test in testing HIV and aids status
ReplyDeleteCombined antibody and antigen test are way best to define one's status.
ReplyDeleteThis is because antigen being tested is a major HIV protein called p24 produced 2-3weeks after infection and before antibodies are produced
Hellen
The antibody test should be highly preferred since it gives the more accurate result and is also faster ..in order to be able to take medication earlier and live a normal life
ReplyDeleteKaisy
Antibody test should be highly preferred to be more sure about your result since it's fast and accurate.
ReplyDeleteantibodies test is the most test done in the V C T centres to tell whether the person is positive or negative
ReplyDeletefaiza
The antibody test is the best because it directly tests the immune system.
ReplyDeleteThe antibody test is the best because it's fast enough for one to be able to know the results
ReplyDeleteHIV tests shows whether a person has hiv
ReplyDeleteEveryone should get tested for hiv at least
as part of routine health care and that people
high risk of infection get tested more often
The antibody test is the best way for a person who wants to get tested simply because it is the most common countrywide.
ReplyDeleteThe antibodies test is best since its fast n it helps onces to know their hiv status
ReplyDeleteAntibody &antigen combination test the CDC recommends these blood test they can detect hiv as soon as 20 days earlier than antibodies screening test they check for hiv antigen aproteun called p24 that's part of the virus that shows up to 2-4 weeks after infection as well as hiv antibodies.by Zahara
ReplyDeleteThe anti body test is the best since it first
ReplyDeleteSince the body releases antibodies to fight the HIV virus ,,,,so during testing the antibody test is the best since its very accurate and it is fast to know the results
ReplyDeleteOn my side it si good to use both test when you are testing for HIV and i f not so use viral load,this is testing of antibadies this may give fake results since antibodies are lk soldiers in the body,they are produced to fight for any disease,and by mistake lets say you had suffered from malaria and the body had produced antibodies to fight against that disease then after being tested you find that you are HIV positive because their is presence of antibodies,of which most people committ suicide after they got this information which not the truth,so to avoid this lets use both test.BY FAITH
ReplyDeleteantibodies are very vital to ones body since they help in our discovering their status.without them,it becames very tedious for one to hnow his/her status.
ReplyDeleteAccording to me,combined antibody /antigen test is the best because in these tests the antigen being tested is a major HIv protein called P24 which is produced 2-3weeks after infection and before antibodies are produced. P24 levels are only detectable for the next 1-2 months .However,by the time the P24 levels have dropped antibodies will be present thus they give an earlier result than antibody -,,,by Christine
ReplyDeleteBesides identifying the HIV virus itself, these tests look for specific proteins (antibodies) that are produced by your body. They are accurate but you need to wait for an appreciable number of antibodies to build up,they might not really be suitable for those who have put themselves at recent risk.
ReplyDeleteTo add on the test there is the ELISA test (enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay) is a screening test that looks for HIV antibodies in blood sample taken from a person exposed to HIV risk
ReplyDeleteAgree with all who support antibody test since it's fast and one can start medication as soon as possible.
ReplyDeleteIf symptoms are related to HIV then viral load test will be positive hence HIV symptoms are related to viral blood. ... By rahma
ReplyDeleteThe antibody test is the currently used and first mode of testing.It gives results first and encourages start of medication if found with virus
ReplyDeleteI prefer the antibody test because one dont need to wait for so long for him/her to know the results, i only have to wait for at-least five minutes to avoid being nervous about myself.
ReplyDeleteThe antibody test is most common testing method hence, when one realizes they are positive with this test, they should seek guidance and counselling first before the second test of confirming if they are really HIV positive
ReplyDeleteCombined antibody and antigen test are way best to define one's status.
ReplyDeleteThis is because antigen being tested is a major HIV protein called p24 produced 2-3weeks after infection and before antibodies are produced
Antibodies test is more preferable by many due to its accuracy and how fast it is
ReplyDeleteBY:SAMIA
Antibody test is most prefferable to be used since it faste and accurate
ReplyDeleteHow soon a test can detect infection depends on the type of test being used. There are three type of tests used to diagonise HIV infection :antibody tests, antigen and nucleic tests .
ReplyDeleteMARY MUSYOKA
According to me antibody test sounds to be the best coz it's accurate .The blood sample Is tested and one is aware of his /her status and is able to take the preventive measures
ReplyDeleteThe antibody test is best becouse it helps a person to know his or her status.
ReplyDeleteVery useful information. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletehiv test kit online