The two most popular tests used to detect HIV through the presence of HIV antibodies are:
These tests are very accurate because they return few false negatives. Out of one million people, approximately four people would be incorrectly declared as not infected with HIV. One drawback is that during the 14 week period after infection that it takes antibodies to develop, the tests will return a negative result. The official definition of “HIV-Positive” is registering positive twice on the ELISA and once again on the Western blot.
Other tests detect the HIV viral load in the blood. These include:
- PCR
- SUDS
- NASBA
- branched DNA (bDNA)
These tests are able to detect HIV shortly after infection since they do not have to wait for an antibody response.
For information on FDA approved HIV testing kits, visit http://www.fda.gov/cber/products/testkits.htm .
Sources:
- “AIDS.” Encyclopedia Britannica. 2004. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 4 Jan. 2004. <http://search.eb.com/eb/article?Eu=4225>.
- Check, William A. AIDS . New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1988. The Encyclopedia of Health.
- Silverstein, Alvin. AIDS: An All-About Guide for Young Adults . Springfield: Enslow Publishers, 1999.
- Storad, Conrad J. Inside AIDS: HIV Attacks the Immune System . Minneapolis: Lerner Publications Company, 1998.