HIV Tests Overview

HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a medical condition spread by unprotected sexual contact with infected people or through the sharing of needles with an infected person. The condition can also transfer from a mother to the child during pregnancy if the mother is affected. HIV tests are used to screen for the presence of HIV in the body. Based on the test results, doctors can either diagnose or rule out HIV affecting a patient. In case of positive test results, doctors can get patients started on a treatment plan to contain the symptoms and reduce the risk of spreading the condition to others.

Why Are HIV Tests Prescribed?

HIV tests are prescribed both as screening tests and as diagnostic tests based on symptoms presented. For pregnant women, going through an HIV test is a part of standard prenatal care to ensure they’re not carriers and spread the disease onto the fetus. Apart from that, patients can also opt to get an HIV test voluntarily as a part of maintaining their sexual health.

Doctors can prescribe HIV blood tests or HIV detection tests to patients when they present certain symptoms, such as:

• High fever that doesn’t go down by itself
• Rashes on your skin
• Weakness and fatigue
• Swelling of lymph nodes
• Unexplained weight loss
• Yeast infections in the oral area
• Shingles or herpes zoster
• Symptoms of diarrhoea

How Are HIV Tests Performed?

HIV tests are performed generally as blood tests or saliva tests. The samples are collected using the following processes. For a HIV blood test, doctors use a antiseptic liquid swab and rub it over the veins in the forearm of the patient. Blood is then drawn from that spot using a sterilised syringe and the blood is stored in an air tight vial. The sample is then sent for testing to a laboratory. For saliva tests, doctors use a swab to collect saliva or cell samples from the inside of the patient’s mouth. The sample is securely contained and sent for testing to laboratories.

Home Sample Collection

To help patients go through diagnostic tests from the comfort of their home, Aster Labs offers home sample collection services. It allows patients who are scared of needles to go through HIV blood test sample collection process easily causing minimal anxiety or pain.

How To Prepare for HIV Tests?

An HIV detection test doesn’t require any specific prerequisites from patients. In case you have any specific questions, you can call and talk to your local Aster Labs centre after booking the tests to get your queries answered.

What Does HIV Test Results Mean?

HIV detection test results are presented as positive or negative with positive meaning the person has HIV and negative meaning they don’t. Based on the test reports, doctors can prescribe further tests to determine the extent of the infection in cases of a positive test report. In cases of negative test results, no further medical action is required.