When is an HIV test most accurate?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Huynh Kim Long - Emergency Resuscitation Doctor - Emergency Resuscitation Department - Vinmec Danang International Hospital
In the early stages of HIV exposure, an HIV test can give a false negative result, as that may be the "window" time in an HIV test. So when does HIV test give the most accurate results?

1. When should HIV test be done?

If counting from the day the virus enters the body, how long after the HIV test is accurate? After entering the body, the virus has 3 replication phenotypes as follows:
The virus multiplies rapidly in the first week, at this time the virus spreads throughout the body, the virus can be seen in the cerebrospinal fluid even before being detected. be in the blood. After 3 to 6 weeks, the infection begins to decrease, 95% of those infected are still healthy and do not think they are infected. So is HIV test after 6 weeks accurate? At this time, some people may have early symptoms of HIV infection, similar to the common cold, but HIV testing at this time does not guarantee high accuracy. The infection progresses silently. The most effective, most accurate HIV test is usually after about 2-3 months. Up to 95% of patients are tested for disease no less than 5 months after exposure to the HIV virus. In a small number of people, it can be years before HIV infection is discovered. Current blood tests usually go through 2 stages:
Level 1 tests are usually rapid tests and are performed twice to reduce errors caused by technicians or equipment. If the first-line test is positive, then a series of second-line tests are used to confirm infection. In summary, 2-3 months after exposure to HIV is the time when testing for HIV is quite accurate.

2. HIV testing process

If you go for an HIV test at a medical facility, the staff will guide you through the necessary procedures. The basic steps are as follows:
Register for testing at the reception desk and get a consultation card. Get pre-test counseling at the doctor's office. After requesting the test, take the test sample according to the requirements of each method. The sample to be tested can be blood or body fluids, but is usually blood. Medical staff will examine and process the sample (if necessary). Samples are transferred to the laboratory for analysis according to regulations. The results are filled in the form and reviewed. The result sheet is exported and given to you, you can ask for advice on the results. The time to do the test depends on the type, if it is a rapid HIV test, it will take about 20-30 minutes, or it can take up to a few days with other types of HIV tests.
Thus, the most accurate time to test for HIV is 2-3 months after being exposed to the HIV virus. If you suspect you have been exposed, or have early symptoms of HIV, you should get tested early during this time.
HIV testing should be conducted at reputable hospitals, with modern technological equipment, good service quality with a team of highly qualified doctors and nurses to ensure the testing takes place safely. , accurate while still ensuring personal privacy. Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the medical facilities that well and fully meets these requirements.
Currently, Vinmec is implementing a social disease screening package to help detect social diseases early for all ages, including a rapid HIV Ab test, giving high accuracy results. Here, customers are not only fully examined and consulted, but also fully guaranteed the safety and privacy of customers.

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