HIV/AIDS: Tests
AIDS is a collection of symptoms known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It is caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Part of: HIV/AIDS
About HIV/AIDS Tests
Types of HIV Tests
Healthcare providers can test a sample of blood to see if it contains human antibodies (disease-fighting proteins) specific to HIV. The two key types of HIV antibody tests are the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the Western blot.
However, these antibody tests may not detect HIV antibodies in someone who has been recently infected with HIV (within 1 to 3 months of infection). In these situations, healthcare providers can test the blood for the presence of HIV genetic material. This test is extremely critical for identifying recently infected people who are at risk for unknowingly infecting others with HIV….Read more about HIV/AIDS Tests NIH – National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases