1 Unsparing, harsh, or strict, as in treatment of others: a severe critic. 2  Marked by or requiring strict adherence to rigorous standards or high principles: a severe code of behavior. 3  Stern or forbidding, as in manner or appearance: spoke in a severe voice. 4  Extremely plain in substance or style: a severe black dress.
The most common HIV test is the antibody screening test (immunoassay), which tests for the antibodies that your body makes against HIV.The immunoassay may be conducted in a lab or as a rapid test at the testing site.hese tests cost more than antibody tests and are generally not used as a screening test, although your doctor may order one as a follow-up test, after a positive antibody test, or as part of a clinical workup. To learn more about HIV tests that are FDA-approved for use in the United States, visit CDCâs U.S. HIV tests.
1 HIV testing for babies born to women with HIV is recommended at 14 to 21 days after birth, at 1 to 2 months, and again at 4 to 6 months. 2  The test used (called a virologic HIV test) looks directly for HIV in the blood. 3  Results on two virologic tests must be negative to be certain that a baby is not infected with HIV.