how do they test you for aids/HIV?

Question

by blood?

Answer 1

Yes, they take your blood and do what's called the "Western Blot" test, the ELISA test or the Rapid or point-of-care tests.

Sometimes they may do more than one.

Answer 2

Two types of tests:

1) Blood test.
2) Saliva test.

Note that the test is an HIV test, NOT an AIDS test. The test checks for the presence of antibodies that are normally produced by the immune system as a response to the Human Immunity Virus.

AIDS (Acquired Immunity Deficiency Syndrome) can be any of a number of diseases such as a cold, flu, hepatitis, etc which lead to death because of a compromised immune system (by HIV).

Some tell-tale signs of a bad immune system are opportunistic diseases such as herpes, thrush and warts. Herpes and warts are incurable but a strong immune system will keep the symptoms away.

Some information on the tests:

Both tests are valid after 6 months of infection. The blood test is usually valid after 3 months. The saliva test is reliable after 6 months. Sometimes the saliva test yields a false positive (under 4%) in which case a blood test is conducted to confirm or reject the result of the saliva test.

Answer 3

They have accurate 10 minute blood tests now as well. You can contact your local Planned Parenthood for this. They can also send out a vial of blood, or do a mouth swab (but these tests take longer to get the results back from).

Answer 4

Yes, by blood. But you should know that it can take up to 12 months after exposure to the virus before it will show up positive in a test.

Answer 5

yes.. HIV tests are designed to detect antibodies to the HIV virus or the HIV virus itself.

The antibody tests are:

1-ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) -- a screening test used to detect infection with HIV. If positive, the ELISA test is usually repeated.

2-Western blot -- a test usually used to confirm the results of an ELISA. It can rule out a false-positive by distinguishing HIV antibodies from other antibodies that may react to the ELISA.

3-IFA (indirect fluorescent antibody) -- a test used like the less expensive Western blot to confirm the results of an ELISA.

Answer 6

They test in two ways...
1. Test to find out viruses (HIV)....
2. Test for antibodies of this virus. That is when virus enters body, body reacts by producing antibodies to this virus.. Hence if virus is present, anti bodies will also be present

Answer 7

simple blood test

Answer 8

Yes, they take a sample of blood.

Answer 9

they draw a sample of blood, and the rest is in the labs. it would take a couple of days to get ur results

Answer 10

yes...a blood test