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HIV testing at the ICTC

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The HIV Antibody Test

An HIV infected person can find out their sero-status through an HIV test.

Most common tests detects antibodies to HIV.

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Window Period

HIV Antibodies usually develop 4 to 12 weeks after infection

(Sometimes, 3 months after infection).

Window period: the period immediately after infection when there are no antibodies.

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Meaning of HIV antibody test result:A positive antibody test result

Individual’s blood contains HIV antibodies Therefore, the person has HIV.

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False Negative test result

Testing during the window period will always cause a negative result

But person is infected Therefore false negative

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Infant’s Positive test result

Testing a newly born child to a woman who is infected with HIV will always cause a positive result

But these could be antibodies from the mother which have passed to the child

Therefore need for additional testing

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Commonly used HIV tests

Rapid tests ELISA Western Blot Tests to detect the virus itself : PCR

NACO recommends the use of rapid tests so that the client can receive the result within 30 minutes.

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Three-test algorithm

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