![]() Tests and results are usually confidential and sometimes anonymous. recommendations for preventing transmission.information about where to go for specialist treatment.a prescription for antiretroviral medications.Further testing may be recommended to confirm the result, and a treatment regime can be started if necessary. One or both test results are positive: It is crucial to seek medical help immediately. The result is negative, and the person has not had exposure to HIV: No further testing may be needed. Precautions may include the use of condoms during sex, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Meanwhile, they should take precautions to prevent transmission of the virus, just in case. In this case, a person should repeat testing in 3 months. The results of both tests are negative: If exposure happened within the last 3 months, HIV might be present but not yet detectable. What happens next depends on the results of the tests. However, if both the ELISA test and another test both detect the virus, it is likely to be present. Other infections such as lupus, Lyme disease, and other STDs may cause a false positive for HIV on the ELISA test.īecause of this, positive ELISA test results need to be confirmed through another test. This is why a second test is needed to confirm the results.īecause the ELISA test is extremely sensitive, some people may test falsely positive. The results of a single test will not be simply positive or negative. Share on Pinterest A negative HIV result from a Western blot test may not guarantee that a person does not have HIV. The person can drive home and go about their day as normal. remove the needle and apply a little pressure and a bandage to the puncture siteĪfter the test, there is no need to rest.insert a needle into the vein and remove the tourniquet so that the needle can fill.apply a tourniquet to make the veins fill with blood.clean the test site with an antiseptic solution to reduce the bacteria on the skin’s surface.examine the arm to find a suitable vein to draw blood from.Then, the medical professional will do the following: The medical technician should explain the test and answer any questions. What to expect: Before, during, and after the testsīefore the test, the person having the testing done may sign a consent form. If the ELISA test is done too soon after exposure, the body will not have produced enough antibodies to cause a positive result, even though the virus may be present. When using the ELISA test for HIV screening, it is important to be aware of the window of exposure. There are very few physical risks to consider for these tests. It is a simple blood test.Īnyone undergoing HIV testing may want to tell the laboratory technician if they have a fear of needles or blood draws.Īdditionally, some people may find it helpful to seek support from a relative or friend during HIV testing. There is no special preparation for the ELISA test. Share on Pinterest Tests are conducted by taking a blood sample. Some people choose to get tested for HIV fairly regularly, for example, if they have a new sexual partner or work in healthcare situations. ![]() those with other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).people who had blood transfusions or injections prior to 1985.those who have sex without using a condom, especially with someone who has HIV.People with a high risk of exposure include: However, the Western blot and ELISA tests are only recommended if a person may have been exposed to HIV. It is a routine procedure during pregnancy. Most adults will undergo screening at some time. Here, an enzyme is added to cause color changes that signal the presence of HIV antibodies. In the Western blot test, the blood is taken in the same way, but the sample is separated with an electrical current and transferred onto a piece of blotting paper. The Western blot test was previously used to confirm the result of the ELISA, but it is no longer recommended, as other tests are now more reliable and enable a faster diagnosis. This very sensitive test was the first one widely used to check for HIV. If the blood contains antibodies to HIV, it will bind with the antigen and cause the cassette’s contents to change color. The blood sample will be added to a cassette that contains the viral protein, called antigen. It checks for certain proteins that the body makes in response to HIV. The ELISA test, also called the EIA for enzyme immunoassay, is used to detect the HIV antibody. Laboratory blood tests can be used to diagnose HIV through detecting certain antibodies or proteins produced by the immune system in response to the virus. Share on Pinterest The ELISA test is a blood antibody test that checks for proteins the body makes if HIV is present. ![]()
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