How Is HIV Infection Diagnosed?

A blood test is used to confirm whether a person has been infected with HIV. Anyone who has engaged in risky behavior - such as sharing drug - injecting equipment or having unprotected sexual contact with an infected person or with someone whose HIV status is unknown - should consider being tested.

A positive HIV test result does not mean that a person has AIDS. Not everyone who has HIV infection develops AIDS. Experts estimate that about half the people with HIV will develop AIDS within 10 years after becoming infected.

Early diagnosis of HIV infection is important because:

• It allows people to seek treatment that will help suppress HIV's attack on the immune system and prevent opportunistic infections.
• It helps women at risk for HIV infection who are planning a pregnancy or who are already pregnant take steps to reduce the risk of transmitting the infection to the baby.
• It alerts those who are infected that they could infect others.