With an HIV test, it can be known whether a person is infected with HIV or not. Here’s what you need to know about the different types of HIV tests.
An HIV test can be used to find out if a person is infected with the HIV virus – which is also the virus that causes AIDS. There is not only one type of HIV test. There are several types of HIV tests that you need to know about.
Human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV ) is a disease that causes immune system disorders, so sufferers are susceptible to various infections. Early detection of this disease is necessary to prevent someone with HIV from contracting a life-threatening infection. HIV Disease Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Early detection is also important to prevent the worst scenario, namely HIV developing into AIDS. People with AIDS (PLWHA) have a very poor immune system, as a result, opportunistic diseases are easy to attack.
Opportunistic diseases are infections that in normal people do not cause disease but in people with poor immune systems can cause disease.
Based on the explanation from dr. Alvin Nursalim, SpPD, you should be wary of contracting this infection if you have several risk factors such as:
- Multiple sex partners.
- Using unsterile needles (which usually occurs in the use of injecting drugs or intravenous drug users).
- Born to an HIV-positive mother.
Early symptoms of HIV
Doctor Alvin asked you to be aware of the early symptoms of HIV which include fever without a clear cause, feeling weak, sore throat, and weight loss. Also, beware if it causes swelling in some parts of the body’s glands.
“People infected with HIV can also experience swelling of various glands, such as the neck or groin area,” he explained.
Usually, the initial symptoms will appear after 2-6 weeks of infection with the HIV virus. Because it is similar to the common cold, many sufferers do not realize that they are infected with HIV. Therefore, people with risk factors for HIV should not underestimate the flu, especially if it is prolonged.
Overview of HIV Testing
Summarized from various sources, the most common test for HIV is a blood test, which only takes about 10 minutes to find out the results. The blood needed in this test is no more than 1 cc, to be dripped with certain reagents (liquids to determine chemical reactions).
If the results are positive, the sufferer is advised to seek treatment immediately. Meanwhile, if the results are negative, the person is still advised to have their blood checked again 3 months later. The aim is to anticipate the possibility that the virus has not been detected in the first test.
HIV antibodies are usually detectable around 3-8 weeks after infection. This period is known as the “window period”. During this period, a person may get a negative test result because the antibodies have not yet been formed.
“Even though the antibodies have not yet been formed, if you do have HIV, the sufferer can already transmit the virus,” he explained. That’s why it’s so important to get tested again and not have sex during this period to prevent potential transmission.
In the past, HIV testing at first could only be done in a laboratory. However, there are now quite a number of compact and fast test kits. So, anyone can do an HIV test. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been promoting its own method of testing for HIV in some places.
Know the Types of HIV Tests
There are three types of HIV tests, namely serological tests, virological tests with PCR, and HIV antibody-antigen tests. There are more types of serological tests and virological tests with PCR. For more details, you can read below.
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serology test
Serological tests consist of rapid tests, ELISA tests, and Western blot tests.
- The rapid test is performed on a smaller number of samples and the waiting time is less than 20 minutes. This test has been appointed by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia to detect antibodies to HIV-1 and 2.
- The ELISA test functions to detect antibodies for HIV-1 and HIV-2 which is done by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) . The blood sample is put into a petri dish containing the HIV antigen. If the blood contains antibodies to HIV, the blood will bind to the antigens.
Then, enzymes are added to the petri dish to speed up the chemical reaction. If the contents of the cup change color, most likely the person taking the test is infected with HIV. To be sure, the doctor will suggest a follow-up test with a Western blot test .
- The Western blot test is an antibody test for confirmation in difficult cases. If the result is positive, a series of bands will appear indicating the specific binding of the antibody to the HIV virus protein. This is only done to follow up on a positive ELISA screening.
2. Virological test by PCR
This HIV test must be done on babies who have just been born to mothers who are positive for HIV. Virological tests with PCR are recommended to diagnose children less than 18 months old.
There are two types of virological tests, namely qualitative HIV DNA (EID) and quantitative HIV RNA.
- Qualitative HIV DNA tests function to detect the virus and do not rely on the presence of antibodies (often used in infants).
- The quantitative RNA test takes a sample from blood plasma. Not only babies, the test can also be used to monitor antiretroviral therapy (ART) in adults.
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Tes HIV antibody-antigen
This one HIV test detects antibodies to HIV-1, HIV-2, and the p24 protein. The p24 protein is part of the core of the virus (antigen of the virus). Even though new antibodies are formed weeks after the infection occurs, the virus and p24 protein are already in the blood. Thus, the test can detect infection early.
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What If The Results Are Positive?
According to the Spiritia Foundation, a peer support group by and for people living with HIV, a positive or reactive result means you have antibodies to HIV, and that means you are infected with HIV.
Test results should be shared by a counselor, who will tell you what impact it has had on your life, and how you can get health and emotional services and support.
Remember, a positive result does not mean AIDS. Many people who are HIV positive remain healthy for many years and do not necessarily need AIDS treatment right away.
Receiving an HIV diagnosis is often very difficult. However, you are not alone. Meeting “like fate” friends can be very helpful. In big cities, there are not a few foundations or peer support groups that can facilitate the process.
Those are the types of HIV tests that you must know. If you have HIV risk factors and moreover you already have typical early symptoms, then an HIV test is highly recommended. If detected in the early phase, the development of infection and transmission can be minimized. So, don’t be afraid to take an HIV test, OK?