Wellness Sexual Health HIV Getting an HIV Diagnosis There are three types of HIV tests: antibody test, antigen/antibody test, and nucleic acid test. These tests may either use a blood sample or an oral swab. By T
Wellness Sexual Health HIV Getting an HIV Diagnosis There are three types of HIV tests: antibody test, antigen/antibody test, and nucleic acid test. These tests may either use a blood sample or an oral swab. By Tahirah Chichester, MPH Tahirah Chichester, MPH Tahirah is a public health professional with more than 10 years experience supporting people along various stages of their health journey. She has a Master of Public Health in epidemiology and biostatistics from Temple University. health's editorial guidelines Published on January 4, 2023 Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH Anju Goel, MD, MPH, is a public health consultant and physician with more than 10 years of experience in the California public health system. learn more Share this page on Facebook Share this page on Twitter Share this page on Pinterest Email this page Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks white blood cells (called CD4 cells) in the immune system. These cells help your body fight infections. HIV kills CD4 cells, causing your immune system to weaken and become vulnerable to other illnesses. Getting tested for HIV is the only way to diagnose HIV. If left untreated, HIV can cause damage to the immune system and lead to a condition called acquired immunodeficiency syndrome—commonly known as AIDS. Knowing your HIV status can get you started on treatment sooner, help you reduce symptoms, and stabilize the spread of HIV in your immune system. There are three types of HIV tests: nucleic acid, antigen/antibody, and antibody tests. These tests may use either a sample of your blood or saliva to get results. In some cases, a provider can also use a urine sample. While some HIV tests can detect HIV sooner than others, no HIV test can detect the virus immediately after exposure. At a minimum, it can take 10 days for HIV to show up in a test result. You can get a test for HIV at your healthcare provider’s office, family planning clinics, pharmacies, mobile testing vans, or during HIV/AIDS awareness-related community events. At-home HIV tests are also available for pick-up or purchase in some pharmacies and clinics. If you receive a diagnosis—or a positive test result—these places can connect you to specialists who provide HIV care, knowledge about treatment options, and other social services. Stefanamer / Getty Images Who Should Get Tested for HIV HIV testing should be a part of everyone’s routine healthcare screening, including people who are pregnant. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention recommend that anyone between the ages of 13 and 64 should get tested for HIV at least once. You should also get tested for HIV if you have symptoms of acute or chronic HIV. However, not everyone experiences symptoms and symptoms of acute-stage HIV can mimic flu-like symptoms. Healthcare providers recommend frequent testing (at least once a year) for people who participate in behaviors that increase their risk of acquiring HIV. These behaviors include: Being a man who has sex with another man Having sex with someone who is HIV positive Having unprotected vaginal and anal sex Engaging with more than one sexual partner Receiving a separate diagnosis for sexually transmitted infection (STI), hepatitis, or tuberculosis Sharing of needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment. Getting tested after taking part in these activities is important—as it can detect HIV early and help you get started on treatment sooner. At-Home STI Tests to Help You Protect and Address Your Sexual Health Types of HIV Tests HIV carries an antigen called protein 24 (or just “p24”). Antigens are foreign substances that enter your body that send a signal to your immune system that there is something wrong