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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.
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.
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.
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.
| Content Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Divisions of HIV/AIDS Prevention National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention |
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