HIV Blood Tests

HIV blood tests identify the existence of the HIV in blood. These tests differ from each other regarding their prices. These standard blood tests detect the virus in blood and are easy to perform. The blood tests include (Enzyme immunoassay), ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and western blot test. The western blot test is used for confirming the EIA/ELISA screening test.

So let us have a look on various HIV blood tests that are given below

ELISA test

ELISA test that is also known as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is performed to identify the blood samples for the existence of HIV antibodies. It is useful for detecting the HIV virus in blood. It can be applied on any of three bodily fluids for example blood, saliva or urine. ELISA test is made up of two tests. The second one is a confirmatory test that helps to confirm the infection of HIV. It is accurate and effective for detecting the virus in blood sample. However, no test is hundred percent accurate. Proper procedure and stage of the infection decides the accuracy of the test. If the test shows the positive result then it means the person has been infected with the disease. If the result is not positive, then it means a person has not infected with the disease.

The Western Blot Test

The western blot test is the most helpful and confirmatory test. There are other tests like RIPA (radio-immunoprecipitative assay) and IFA (immunofluorescence assay) that are used after getting the results of ELISA test to confirm the existence of HIV in blood. These tests are as accurate as western blot test. Western blot test can be performed for confirming the existence of HIV in blood with ELISA test. If the ELISA test shows positive result that is acknowledged by Western Blot and IFA test it means the sample of the blood is infected with HIV. The small amount of blood is taken as a sample from arm to be tested in lab. The ELISA and EIA tests take the time of one or two weeks to be completed. Moreover, these tests check for the existence of antibodies to HIV. They do not check for virus itself.

Some other tests except the blood tests are given belowRapid tests, oral tests, viral tests, and Urine-based test can be performed for identifying the existence of HIV.

Oral Test

These tests can be carried out in a clinic or doctor's office. For using these tests or applying them on patients, the inside part of the mouth is softly scraped and saliva is checked for or tested for the existence of HIV antibodies. The results can be as accurate as blood test as saliva is tested using an EIA test followed by Western blot test if it requires. HIV does not transmit through saliva. It is transmitted through the bodily fluids like semen, vaginal fluids, and blood.

HIV blood tests detect the existence of the virus in the blood sample. The given information would help you to know about the various HIV tests

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