How do HIV tests work?
Once HIV enters the body, the immune system starts to produce antibodies -- (chemicals that are part of the immune system that recognize invaders like bacteria and viruses and mobilize the body's attempt to fight infection). In the case of HIV, these antibodies cannot fight off the infection, but their presence is used to tell whether a person has HIV in his or her body. In other words, most HIV tests look for the HIV antibodies rather than looking for HIV itself. There are tests that look for HIV's genetic material directly, but these are not in widespread use.
Types of Tests Available
The most common HIV tests use blood to detect HIV infection. Tests using saliva or urine are also available. Some tests take a few days for results, but rapid HIV tests can give results in about 20 minutes. All positive HIV tests must be followed up by another test to confirm the positive result. Results of this confirmatory test can take a few days to a few weeks.
Who should get tested for HIV?
The following are behaviors that increase the chances of getting HIV.
If you answer yes to any of them, you should definitely get an HIV test. If you continue with any of these behaviors, you should be tested every year. Talk to a health care provider about an HIV testing schedule that is right for you.
• Have you injected drugs or steroids or shared equipment (such as needles, syringes, works) with others?
• Have you had unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with men who have sex with men, multiple partners, or anonymous partners?
• Have you exchanged sex for drugs or money?
• Have you been diagnosed with or treated for hepatitis, tuberculosis (TB), or a sexually transmitted disease (STD), like syphilis?
• Have you had unprotected sex with someone who could answer yes to any of the above questions
How long after a possible exposure should I wait to get tested?
Most HIV tests are antibody tests that measure the antibodies your body makes against HIV. It can take some time for the immune system to produce enough antibodies for the antibody test to detect and this time period can vary from person to person. This time period is commonly referred to as the "window period." Most people will develop detectable antibodies within 2 to 8 weeks (the average is 25 days). Even so, there is a chance that some individuals will take longer to develop detectable antibodies. Therefore, if the initial negative HIV test was conducted within the first 3 months after possible exposure, repeat testing should be considered >3 months after the exposure occurred to account for the possibility of a false-negative result. Ninety seven percent will develop antibodies in the first 3 months following the time of their infection. In very rare cases, it can take up to 6 months to develop antibodies to HIV. Current Situation
Over 98% of existing HIV Diagnostic Test Utilize Blood Samples for Testing.
Drawbacks of Utilizing Blood Based Diagnostic Kits
Fear of Needle-Stick Injury
Increases Risk Exposure
Requires ancillary blood supplies
Not Convenient
Some Tests require Refrigeration
Test Results are longer to read some up to 45 minutes
More set up and preparation time
The Latest Advance in Rapid HIV (1&2) Urine Test
The Rapid HIV(1&2) Urine Test is a simple, visual qualitative test that detects antibodies to HIV Types 1 and 2 in human urine. The test is based on immunochromatography and can give a results usually in 1 minute or less.
The Rapid HIV (1&2) Urine Test, provides the Highest Standard of Care for Testing HIV with the following benefits.
Greater than 99% Accuracy
Test for HIV 1& 2 provides complete HIV Status
Simple One Step Procedure
Urine Sample, requires only 10 ul (One drop)
Convenient, test anywhere, anytime
Less than 1 minute hands on time
Easy to Read Results
Non Invasive minimizing risk exposure and liability
Cost Effective –no blood based ancillary supplies
Multiple Independent Clinical Studies Worldwide
Long Shelf Life 18-22 months
Store at Room Temp, no need for Refrigeration
The Rapid HIV (1&2) Urine Test is an Excellent Choice for HIV Testing
1) Where there is a need for urgent HIV Testing
2) Where there is a need to test Women, including pregnant women
More than half of all HIV infections are in women
3 in 5 Women do not know their HIV status at the time of delivery
Mother to Child Transmission account for 100% of all Pediatric Infections, the majority of which could have been prevented.
3) Where there is a need to test young people
Young People have the highest rate of HIV Infections
Many young people fear needle stick injury
Prefertesting in private
4) Where there is a need to test Healthcare Workers
Health workers are at risk of being infected when pricked by a contaminated needle
Approx 10% of health care workers encounter a needle stick injury each year
5) Where there is a need to test with ease and convenience
The Rapid HIV (1&2) Urine test is available as 20 Test/Kit for Large Scale Use and as Individual Test Kit for Individual use.
