| There are so many misconceptions about HIV | | | | even think for a moment you may have |
| testing. Some people think the tests are horribly | | | | contracted HIV. |
| invasive while others think you are automatically | | | | HIV Antigen Test |
| tested for it during your yearly physical. Neither of | | | | The HIV antigen test can be used earlier than the |
| these ideas is true. You need to request an HIV | | | | antibody test but it may not be as accurate. It |
| test if you want one and they are really pretty | | | | works by detecting a substance called P24, a |
| easy. It is just like any other blood test. | | | | protein that is produced by the HIV virus itself. |
| There are several different types of HIV/AIDS | | | | When a germ or virus enters the body, it carries |
| tests available that can help you detect whether | | | | with it an antigen, in this case, protein P24. As HIV |
| or not you have the disease. These types include: | | | | "settles in" the body, an abundance of P24 is |
| HIV Antibody Test | | | | present and causes the production of antibodies |
| When you contract HIV, a special protein is | | | | to start. This means that this antigen is present |
| produced called an antibody. Antibodies work to | | | | before antibodies and once the antibodies begin to |
| fight the invaders-the HIV virus-and are only | | | | develop, the less likely a positive result can be |
| present in the body if you have HIV. Each virus | | | | obtained from an antigen test. It is all about |
| causes the body to produce a specific type of | | | | timing, really. |
| antibody-one that is tailored to fight that virus. If | | | | DNA or RNA Test |
| you have HIV antibodies then you have HIV. | | | | A DNA or RNA test can be conducted within a |
| It can take up to three months for HIV antibodies | | | | week of suspected infection. This is because it |
| to appear in the blood. Having an HIV test done | | | | goes so far as to detect the genetic material of |
| before this can produce a false-negative result. | | | | HIV. They are usually used in babies born to an |
| For some people, the HIV antibodies do not | | | | HIV positive mother. Babies in this situation do not |
| appear until six months after infection. A follow-up | | | | respond well to the antibody or antigen tests as |
| test after six months is recommended just in | | | | they will have their mother's antibodies for quite |
| case. | | | | sometime after birth. The DNA or RNA test, also |
| It is also important to note that during the first | | | | called a Polymerase Chain Reaction test, can be |
| few weeks after infection, a person is extremely | | | | sure to get results right away. |
| likely to pass on HIV to others. This is because | | | | You can go to a testing facility and have these |
| the body has not even attempted to fight back | | | | tests done or purchase an at-home HIV detection |
| against the HIV virus, meaning you have a ton of | | | | kit. Either way, you will be doing yourself and |
| it floating around in your blood, semen or vaginal | | | | those in your life a favor by being responsible and |
| fluids. You should always abstain from sex if you | | | | knowing for sure if you have this disease or not. |