HIV Detection - Early Diagnosis and Testing Methods

Methods and technologies used to identify the presence of HIV in individuals for early diagnosis and treatment.

HIV Detection FAQ

How does a blood test detect HIV?

An HIV test involves drawing blood to detect the presence of HIV. Most doctors or healthcare providers usually call this a standard blood test. In the lab, the two most common ways the blood sample can be used to test for HIV are called an antibody test and an antigen test. How do these tests detect HIV? Science alert!

What is HIV antibody test?

Antibody tests check for HIV antibodies in blood or oral fluid. HIV antibodies are disease-fighting proteins that the body produces in response to HIV infection. Most rapid tests and home use tests are antibody tests. Antigen/antibody tests can detect both HIV antibodies and HIV antigens (a part of the virus) in the blood.

How do you test for HIV?

HIV tests are typically performed on blood or oral fluid. They may also be performed on urine. An antibody test looks for antibodies to HIV in your blood or oral fluid. Most rapid tests and the only HIV self-test approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are antibody tests.

How are HIV antibodies detected?

It involves detection of antibodies in patient sera that react with the various HIV proteins, which have been separated into bands based on their distinct molecular weight, using protein gel electrophoresis and transferred (blotted) onto a nitrocellulose membrane.

How is HIV diagnosed?

HIV infection can be detected with great accuracy using WHO prequalified tests within a nationally approved testing strategy and algorithm. Most widely used HIV diagnostic tests detect antibodies produced by the person as part of their immune response to fight HIV. In most cases, people develop antibodies to HIV within 28 days of infection.

Can a point-of-care test detect HIV infection?

Point-of-care testing is available in some jurisdictions; however, it is important to note that these tests have substantially longer window periods to detect infection in comparison to laboratory-based tests and therefore have the possibility of delivering false negative tests if conducted shortly after HIV infection.