An individual only requires a glance at the stats associated with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) to realize the necessity of HIV screening. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) estimates that there are more than 1.2 million Americans that currently host HIV and about 50,000 new cases of HIV emerge every year. Of these, one-fifth does not even realize that they are carrying the virus. It only becomes obvious that HIV screening is important to accurately judge and react to the expanding problem. Informed and health conscious individuals can proactively address the problem of HIV if it affects their lives, and equally imperative- they do take preventive measures to protect not only themselves but their partner(s), too.
This brings us to the HIV test itself. Presently, the CDC recommends routine HIV testing for everyone who is sexually active and aged 14 to 65. Eventually, they would like to see HIV testing becoming a vital part of any screening or healthcare encounter. Till that time, it is completely up to you to willingly contribute to their growing knowledge base and peace of mind. For that, you require facts; particularly, facts that turn out to be groundbreaking alternatives to conventional testing methods.
How Does It Work?
Most procedures, which also include a rapid HIV test, mainly rely on antibody detection in the body to obtain results. A sample, which is generally in the form of oral fluid, plasma, blood and oftentimes urine, is collected and later exposed to a certain solution. If any HIV-specific antibodies are found in the sample, the tests return positive. Both conventional and rapid HIV test options consistently perform with 99 percent accuracy, and a positive outcome from either technique requires further verification, generally an alternative technique like the Western Blot test.
Rapid HIV Test
Conventional HIV testing requires Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA), a lengthy process that requires a vein-derived blood sample and specific laboratory equipment. Such tests require an individual to have two visits – one is to administer pretest counseling and draw the sample, and the second one is to obtain results and look for further referrals or counseling. The time period between these two visits may take anywhere from a few days to weeks depending on the delays in shipping the samples, lab protocols, or retesting.
Rapid HIV test approach happens to be a lot more convenient in this regard. The entire process takes less than 30 minutes and requires one visit only, where the individual can obtain their results after 30 minutes and also includes counseling.