How do you detect the first sign of HIV?

Answer 1

The initial symptoms are the same as and indistinguishable from influenza and lasts about as long. The virus then hides from the immune system and in most cases no other symptoms will be seen for a latent period of 5 to 20 years, at which point the immune system begins to rapidly fail and a wide variety of opportunistic infections and cancers appear.

During the latent period as there are no symptoms the only way to detect an infection with HIV is with lab tests to antibodies to the virus.

Answer 2

HIV will not show its symptoms until AIDS but HIV can be detected through the detection of our HIV antibody counts which new tests can detect as soon as two weeks after exposure. However, HIV can take up to 3 months before the test can be found positive. The period is called window period

Answer 3

You can get a blood test at a hospital or from a doctor (check the cost first). You can also get tested easy using a home test kits buy online. complete annoumous

It costs range from $15-$25

Answer 4

Today, there are three major types of HIV test: antibody test, antigen test, and DNA test. Each test can determine a specific substance that is present in the blood of an infected person. It is also known as ELISA - Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay test. It is the first HIV test to determine the antibodies in the blood of an infected person. When HIV virus enters your body, it generates some proteins called antibodies and releases into the blood to fight against the foreign organisms such as virus. Remember that the HIV antibodies will not be produced immediately when you get infected. It usually takes 1-2 months to appear in your blood. The period of time between an exposure of an infection and development of antibodies is known as window period. So, ELISA test is ineffective during window period. For this test, a sample of your blood will be taken to identify the presence of antibodies to HIV virus. If the results are positive, then it confirms that you are infected with HIV virus. If the test results are negative, it indicates that there are no antibodies against HIV in your blood. Although the ELISA test is easy, cheap, and very effective, it can produce false HIV positive results. So, a second antibody test known as a Western Blot will be performed with the same sample for more accurate results. When your Western Blot results positive then it confirms the presence of HIV virus in your body. It is a second HIV test to determine the antigens in your blood. Antigens are the foreign substances (called the P24 protein) on the HIV virus that motivate your immune system in the production of antibodies. These in turn destroy the antigen. For this HIV test, a sample of your blood will be collected to determine the P24 protein in your blood. If the test results are positive, it confirms that you are with HIV infection. This test can determine the HIV infection very soon when compared to the HIV antibody test. It is a third HIV test to detect the genetic material and the HIV virus in the blood. DNA is the complex protein consists of all the genetic information of human being. The positive result of this test confirms that you are with HIV infection. It can detect the HIV virus very soon when compared to other two HIV tests. The HIV DNA test can detect the infection as soon as within one week after you get infected with HIV virus. It is a rarely used HIV test for detecting the HIV virus in your body because they are expensive and difficult to manage when compared to HIV antibody or P24 protein test. The type of HIV DNA test used to the babies born to mothers with HIV virus is called a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test. With above mentioned tests, the HIV virus can be determined.

Answer 5

There are a number of tests available to detect the presence of HIV. The most common tests involve looking for the virus indirectly via the prescence of antibodies. This can be done through an oral swab test or a blood test. Many clinics offer rapid tests that can yield results in minutes (ex. Oraquick).

If rapid tests yield positive results, it is recommend that another test be performed to confirm those results. In the United States, the Western Blot is the confirmatory test for HIV.

Answer 6

You can detect early HIV symptoms by consulting your gynecologist or even your general doctor. You should have frequent or regular check ups and talk to your doctor about safe sex practices if HIV is a concern for you.

Answer 7

after HIV enters the human body, it has to make copies of itself. It takes a minimum of 3 months for the virus to be detected. That period is what is called 'window period'

Answer 8

You must be tested to know for sure you are HIV+ or HIV-.

Answer 9

You can know if you have HIV by getting tested. Because HIV infection typically doesn't have notable symptoms, there's no other reliable way to know.