Testing for HIV is an important part of taking care of one’s health. It is also a fantastic approach to look out for the health of the individuals you do drugs with or have sexual relations with.
It is entirely up to you to decide whether or not you want to get tested for HIV. No one else, not even a medical professional, member of your family, or lover, can make a choice for you.
You are required to offer your informed permission each time a healthcare practitioner or community worker administers an HIV test to you.
What are the benefits of being tested for HIV?
Getting tested is the only method to determine with absolute certainty whether or not you have HIV.
Knowing whether or not you are HIV positive is vital for your health regardless of the results of the test. It also provides you with the necessary knowledge to assist you in making a decision on the HIV preventive measures that you may like to employ.
If you have HIV, getting an early diagnosis and starting treatment will be beneficial to your health. The sooner you get treatment, the better. You can check the HIV test price in Delhi online easily.Â
The knowledge that you do not have HIV might provide you with a sense of relief, even if the test comes out negative. The next step is to consider what you can do to protect yourself from contracting HIV, including taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
Types of HIV Tests-Â
1. Antibodies TestÂ
This test examines your blood and/or saliva to check for antibodies against HIV. When you come into contact with germs or viruses like HIV, your immune system responds by producing antibodies. From three to twelve weeks after infection, an HIV antibody test can detect whether or not a person has HIV. This is due to the fact that it might take anywhere from a few weeks to several months for the immune system to start producing antibodies against HIV. It’s possible that you may perform an HIV antibody test in the comfort of your own home. Inquire with your health care practitioner about the availability of HIV test kits for use at home. Check the HIV test price in Delhi for this particular test on the lab website.Â
2. Antibodies and Antigens test
These days, it’s rather standard practice for antibody testing to also screen for antigens. Such tests are referred to as combining antibody/antigen (Ag/Ab) testing or the 4th generation of assays.
In all of these tests, the antigen that is being examined is termed p24, and it is a key HIV protein.
P24, which is an abbreviation for the protein 24, is created two to three weeks after infection, prior to the production of antibodies. Only within the following one to two months will p24 levels be noticeable. On the other hand, by the time the p24 concentrations have decreased, antibodies would already be present. You can easily book HIV Tests here from the best lab n Delhi.Â
The fourth generation of tests (Ag/Ab) would detect 95 percent of infections within four weeks, as well as 99 percent within six weeks.
A single test should be performed six weeks following exposure, as recommended by the experts. A second test must be performed after three months to validate a negative result from a screening done after four weeks. It takes around two weeks longer to receive these findings from tests that just use antibodies.
3. HIV RNA tests
Here are different types of HIV tests.
The virus itself may be identified in the blood using HIV RNA quantitative tests, which are a type of nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). They are not suitable for use as diagnostic tests in most cases; nevertheless, HIV experts will employ them if a very early stage of HIV infection is suspected and a test of the fourth generation was negative. A recommendation to an HIV expert is something that needs to be considered in such a scenario, and also know the HIV test price in Delhi.Â
4. Rapid self-test
A speedy home test may be carried out by the individual themselves, and the results can be obtained in as little as twenty minutes. A fast self-test kit is available for purchase in pharmacies and on the internet for individuals. The only sort of fast self-tests that are now accessible is oral fluid tests. For this test, an individual swabs the gums to take a sample of oral fluid and afterward tests this with the substances that come with the kit. After that, the outcome of the test is provided within twenty minutes.
However, it is absolutely necessary for individuals to follow the guidelines on the kit, or else the test would not be accurate. In the event that an individual needs assistance in completing the exam, they can contact the number that is included in the packet.
ConclusionÂ
It is feasible for a person to be certain that they do not have HIV if the test comes back negative and they have not had any potential exposure to HIV in the most recent three months.
In the event that the test yields a positive result, persons need to consult with a medical expert in order to schedule a further examination. If you wish to know about the HIV test price in Delhi, then you must consult with an expert online.Â
