What does it mean to test positive to a antibody/antigen test?
Answers
Depending on where you are in the world, there are a number of places that you can get tested for HIV. The best first step is to search online for "HIV testing”, plus your location. This will generally give you a good idea of where to go, or at least give you a starting point.
If you have limited internet access, it’s always worth asking local sexual health charities or health authorities to see what you have in your area – they should also be able to direct you to somewhere which offers testing for free.
The healthcare worker – there to help you!
Before you test, your healthcare worker will talk to you about your sexual health, why you’ve decided to test, and any risks you may have taken.
Remember, the healthcare professional is not there to judge you. There is most likely nothing you can say that they haven’t heard from someone else. Be honest with them, and ask as many questions as you want – that is what they are there for.
You should never feel pressured to test. The results will be completely confidential and you should only go through with it if you want to.
How accurate are different types of HIV tests?
Modern HIV tests are extremely accurate. There are a variety of different HIV tests and your healthcare worker should explain which test you will be given and how you will get your result. Normally, testing involves taking a small sample of blood from either your finger or your arm, or a sample of oral fluid.
How long an HIV test takes to give you an accurate result depends on the type of test you are taking. If you are taking a rapid test, you will be given your results within 20 minutes. Other types of tests will be sent to a laboratory and you may have to wait for the result which may take between a few days to a few weeks for you to receive a final result.
How do different HIV tests work?
Third generation HIV tests (ELISA antibody)
When you become infected with HIV, your body will start to produce specific antibodies (proteins that attach to the virus to try and destroy it). An HIV antibody test looks for these antibodies in your blood, saliva or urine. If these antibodies are found, it means you are infected with HIV. This test is only accurate three months after exposure, because this is how long it takes your body to produce enough antibodies for it to show up in a test. It usually a few days to a few weeks to get results back for this type of test.
Fourth generation HIV tests (ELISA combined antigen/antibody)
Fourth generation tests look for HIV antibodies, but also for something called p24 antigens. The p24 antigens are part of HIV itself, so you have a lot of these in your blood in the first few weeks after infection. This is why you are most infectious to others in this period too. Fourth generation tests can reliably detect HIV from one month after you have been infected. It usually takes a few days to a few weeks to get results back for this type of test.