HIV-I and HIV-II (ANTIGEN/ANTIBODY, FOURTH GENERATION WITH REFLEX)

What are the other names for this test?

HIV antibody/antigen tests, HIV p24 antigen test, HIV antibody test, HIV test, HIV screening test

What is the HIV Antibody test?

An HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) antibody test determines HIV-I and HIV-II antibodies in your blood. When you experience HIV infection, antibodies develop in your body. HIV is a virus that attacks cells in the immune system of your body. Your immune system consists of cells, organs, proteins, and tissues. These cells help to prevent infections, bacteria, and viruses. An HIV infection can weaken your immune system, which results in AIDS (late stage). Your body will lose the ability to fight infections and other diseases if the cells of your immune system decrease. If you diagnose HIV earlier, your provider may recommend specific medicines to decrease the risk for AIDS. Medical treatment also helps to reduce the chance of spreading HIV to other people. The HIV antibody test is the most accurate test to identify the disease of HIV infection.

What are the two forms of HIV?

HIV-II - It is often available throughout the world.
HIV-II - It is usually in the western part of Africa. It also spreads to the U.S.

What is the purpose of this test?

An HIV antibody/antigen test often conducts to see antibodies and antigens in your blood. This fourth-generation HIV antibody test helps to detect an HIV p24 antigen that activates your immune system to fight this infection. When you have an HIV infection, these antigens appear in your blood more than antibodies. Your immune system develops antibodies, which are proteins to protect your body against bacteria and other diseases. The HIV test helps to detect if you have a chance to infect with HIV.

When do I need an HIV antibody test?

You may also need to take this test if you already had unprotected sex with a person. This test helps to diagnose if the HIV test results are positive. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests the HIV antibody test at least once for every person aged 13 to 64. Your provider may ask for additional tests if you are at risk of severe infection.          
                       
Your provider also recommends the HIV test if you have experienced these conditions.
 

• Unprotected sex - If you had performed unprotected sex with different partners, unprotected sex with any partner, men performed sex with men, or with outsiders.

 

• Sex with an HIV-infected person - When you do vaginal or anal sex with a person having an HIV infection.

 

• Sharing needles to take drugs - HIV infections spread with needle sharing in your body.

 

• Pregnant - The testing is necessary for pregnant women during each pregnancy. Your provider asks to order this test even if the results of previous pregnancies were negative. HIV may pass to your baby during pregnancy and birth.

 

• Diagnosed with sexually transmitted infection (STI) - The condition of STIs such as syphilis usually has the probability of high HIV infection. Syphilis is a bacterial infection that occurs due to sexual activity.

 

• Working in the healthcare center - If you are a healthcare provider and come in contact with a contaminated needle or instrument, you may need to take this test during the exposure and after the upcoming 4 to 6 months.

If you have the above conditions, you may need to take HIV test after every year. You can contact an online doctor to discuss the number of tests you need to conduct.

Your healthcare provider recommends an HIV antibody test if you have symptoms of HIV-I and HIV-II, include
 

• Pain in the muscles and joints
• Headache
• Unexpected Weight loss
• Pain in the mouth due to inflammation
• Diarrhea
• Cough
• Rash
• Extreme tiredness
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Night sweats
• Swelling in lymph glands, a type of small bean-shaped organs that filters elements in your body. It is in your neck, chest, abdomen, underarms, and groin (where the thigh meets your stomach). 

What is the procedure for HIV antibody test?

Your provider will determine what sample you may need to provide for this test. These samples may include blood from a vein or finger or saliva. The HIV test can perform in several ways:
 

• Lab tests - Your provider collects a blood sample from your vein when you go to a lab. You may experience a little pain at the point in your vein from where the blood collects. A chance of bleeding or bruising may also occur, but generally, these signs do not last long. You will get your test report within a few days after you give the blood sample to your provider.

For a saliva sample - your provider will rub an absorbent pad on your gums.
 

• Rapid tests - Your provider will take blood from your finger, saliva, or urine. The test results appear within 30 minutes.

 

• Home tests - It contains rapid self-test kits to collect a sample of saliva by yourself. You need to take a drop of blood from your finger for testing purposes.

How do I need to prepare for an HIV test?

Your provider will inform you about any specific instructions for the test until you do not need to prepare for the test. You can also talk with your provider if you are using medicines, vitamins, and supplements. Your provider may also ask you to avoid the intake of alcohol for at least 24 hours. A provider may inform you about your risk for HIV infection.
 
What are the risks of this test?
 
An HIV antibody test is a blood test that does not have a high risk. You may experience a little pain at the point in your vein from where the blood collects. A chance of bleeding or bruising may also occur, but generally, these signs do not last long.

What additional tests may I need to conduct along with this test?

Your healthcare provider may suggest tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

What factors may affect the HIV antibody test?

If you tested earlier after the infection with HIV, you might get a false-negative and inaccurate result.

What do HIV test results mean?
 
The test results for an HIV antibody test depend on age, gender, medical history, and other factors. Your lab test results may differ among laboratories. Each lab may use different measurement methods.

A negative test result indicates that no antibodies are available in your body or you don’t have HIV. It is not a necessary signal that you don’t have HIV. You may experience an HIV infection because the test timing was not suitable, and you may need additional tests to judge conditions. Your healthcare provider will read your test results and inform you about more tests.

If you experience negative test results on a rapid test or an at-home test and expose to HIV in:

More than or equal to 90 days - You have no chance of an HIV infection
Less than 90 days - You may need to repeat another test for HIV

Positive test results indicate you have an HIV infection or antibodies are available in your blood. You may conduct more repeated tests to detect HIV disease.

If you want to diagnose HIV infection in your body, you can place an online order. With this test, you can understand your medical conditions. For more laboratory lab tests, you can click here.