What are symptoms of primary HIV infection?

What are symptoms of primary HIV infection?

Within two to six weeks of an exposure, the majority of infected people will have a positive HIV antibody test, with virtually all being positive by six months. The test used most commonly for diagnosing infection with HIV is referred to as an ELISA. If the ELISA finds the HIV antibody, the presence of the antibody is confirmed by a test called a Western blot. There are now several rapid antibody tests that can be performed on blood or saliva and provide preliminary results within 20 minutes. These tests are fairly accurate but also need be confirmed with a Western blot. It is currently recognized that approximately 20% of HIV-infected individuals in the United States are not aware that they are infected, largely as a result of not having been tested. In September 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that HIV antibody testing be performed as part of routine care for individuals presenting to medical attention for any reason. The hope is that this strategy will reduce the number of infected individuals who are not aware of their status in order to both get them into medical care earlier and to counsel them as to how they can prevent spread to others. This strategy can be markedly enhanced with the rapid testing which can provide preliminary results before the patient leaves the medical facility.