The diagnosis of HIV infection can be made by detecting the presence of disease-fighting proteins called antibodies in the blood. These HIV antibodies are not generally seen until 1-3 months following infection. If you have been exposed to the HIV virus, early testing is important because it is generally believed that the earlier treatment is … [Read more...]
Types of HIV Test
May 18, 2012 By
Different Types of HIV Tests The 2 types of tests most commonly used to detect HIV infection are the ELISA (enzyme-linked immunoassay) and Western blot tests. These tests are very accurate, but they are only able to detect HIV antibodies and not the HIV virus particle itself. A process is followed to determine if you are HIV positive. First, … [Read more...]
HIV and Pregnancy
May 11, 2012 By
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that pregnant women and newborns at high risk for HIV be tested. Without medical treatment, a mother infected with HIV has about a 25% chance of having a baby born with HIV. Medical treatment with AZT during pregnancy and labor has been shown to dramatically reduce the risk of … [Read more...]
HIV Counseling
May 9, 2012 By
Counseling is an essential part of HIV antibody testing and should always be performed before and after testing regardless of HIV status. Counseling is mandatory in most anonymous testing sites. Counseling prior to the test will help you understand the results of your test, learn how to protect yourself from the virus, and gain the knowledge of … [Read more...]
