HIV / AIDS
Screening
To find out whether HIV has invaded the body, special blood tests can be done (HIV Antibody Test e.g. HIV ELISA, EIA, Particle Agglutination). The tests are available at all government clinics and hospitals. They are also available at all private hospitals and some private clinics.

When the virus infects the body, a compound called an antibody will be produced. It is this antibody that is detected when undergoing the blood tests.


HIV Test Results The HIV test can identify HIV antibodies in the blood as early as two weeks after infection, but the body may take up to 6 months to make a measurable amount of antibodies. The average time is 25 days.

A seropositive result on an HIV test means that HIV antibodies are present in your bloodstream and you are HIV positive. The onset of AIDS may take up to 10 or more years. Drug treatments that can delay the development of AIDS are available.

A seronegative result usually indicates that you are not infected with HIV. However, you should be retested in six months if you have engaged in high-risk behaviours during the past six months, because it can take this long for your immune system to produce enough antibodies.

Anyone who receives an HIV test should seek counselling before and after the test in order to understand the results, discuss prevention methods, and, if necessary, discuss drug treatment options.

When can a person be confirmed as an AIDS patient? A person will be confirmed as an AIDS patient if he/she possesses the following characteristics:-

  • His/her blood test is confirmed positive for the HIV antibodies and specified CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts. The development of signs and symptoms of AIDS typically parallels laboratory testing for CD4+ T-lymphocytes.

  • He/she possesses signs and symptoms of HIV (see Signs and Symptoms).

  • He/she presents with established complications for HIV (see Complications).


When is a person considered to be a HIV carrier?

A person is considered to be a HIV carrier if his/her blood test has been found positive for the HIV antibodies but he/she does not show any signs and symptoms of HIV infection.

How can we monitor ourselves regarding this disease?

If you think you are at risk of getting HIV infection, it is advisable to monitor the presence of HIV in your blood. These tests identify the presence of HIV antibody in your blood. Antibodies for HIV will be naturally produced when the virus invades our body.

The types of HIV testing which can be done include:

Antibody Blood Tests

Antibody blood tests are used to detect HIV antibodies in the blood. The most common screening tests used today are EIA (enzyme immunoassay) and the ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). EIA tests for HIV antibody has to be confirmed by Western blot (WB) confirmatory testing before reporting as positive.

Oral Testing for HIV
Oral testing is done with samples of mucus from inside the cheeks and gums rather than with blood. Oral tests have been approved by the FDA and are as accurate as blood tests.

In Malaysia , confirmation of HIV is usually with the WB test (for non intravenous drug users (IVDU's)) or particle agglutination test (for known IVDU's).