HIV Test

An HIV test is performed to ensure the presence or absence of HIV. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) insists that individuals aged 13-64 years should undergo an HIV test at least once as a part of their routine health check-up. Individuals at a higher risk should undergo the test more often. According to the CDC, individuals involved in the following are considered at a higher risk:

• Men having sex with men
• Sex for drugs or money
• Intercourse with a partner with HIV
• Multiple sex partners
• Involvement in drugs and sharing of needles 
• Sex with a partner who has experienced any of the above
• Apart from individuals who are diagnosed or treated for tuberculosis, hepatitis or sexually transmitted disease are also at a high risk of HIV and should get themselves tested at least once in a year

HIV test is also advised to:

• Pregnant women (they should know to protect themselves and the baby from such infections)
• Couples before having sex for the first time
• People who donate blood

Individuals experiencing the following symptoms may also undergo an HIV test:

• Pneumonia 
• Forgetfulness
• White spots on the throat or mouth 
• Diarrhoea for a long time
• Sudden loss of weight
• Fatigue
• Swelling of the lymph nodes
• Depression
• Red spots on the skin or mouth

No special preparations are needed before this test. However, ensure to inform the doctor about any herbs, medicines, vitamins or nutritional supplements, in case you are taking any, before the test as they may affect test results. Before the test is performed, the doctor may provide the following information associated with it:

• The details of the test and procedure 
• The details of AIDS and routes through which the virus spreads
• Methods of prevention
• Confidentiality of test results

An HIV test can be performed on blood or saliva samples. In the case of blood testing, blood will be collected from a vein in your arm or hands using a sterile needle.
For saliva sample collection, the healthcare provider will use a special swab and rub it against your gums.
Some risks associated with blood sample collection include infection, bruising, bleeding and lightheadedness. You may experience slight pain, sting and pricking sensation during the test. Also, soreness may be observed at the site of injection after the test is performed. Though most of these symptoms are temporary and will disappear quickly.

Normal results: A negative result is considered a normal result. It indicates the absence of HIV infection. However, a negative result does not ensure that the individual is not infected. This is because of the window period, the period between possible contact and the appropriate time for testing of HIV. HIV-antibodies appear in the blood only after the window period is over. The window period is variable for different individual and varies with the type of HIV. So, HIV test results may be falsely negative if the individual is tested before the completion of this period.
To ensure that the results obtained are correct, it is best to conduct this test after the window period is over. 

Abnormal results: Positive HIV test results are considered abnormal. Several additional tests are performed to ensure and confirm the diagnosis in such a case.
In the case of abnormal results, the treatment should be initiated immediately.

Disclaimer: All results must be clinically correlated with the patient’s complaints to make a complete and accurate diagnosis. The above information is provided from a purely educational point of view and is in no way a substitute for medical advice by a qualified doctor.