This test has been found to be 99.9% accurate in detecting the presence of HIV at 28 or more days after infection. It can be used to detect HIV before seroconversion, and therefore is very valuable in determining the course of treatment, if necessary. It can be used earlier to detect HIV but the accuracy before 28 days is not known. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes AIDS, a chronic disease that cannot be cured and is usually fatal if left untreated. HIV infects certain white blood cells called CD4+ cells, which are part of the body's immune system.
Two types of HIV have been identified:
· HIV-1. This virus causes almost all of the cases of AIDS worldwide.
· HIV-2. This virus is found mostly in West Africa.
People who practice certain behaviors and those who have certain jobs are at higher risk than the general population for becoming infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). About 75% of HIV infections are spread through sexual contact.
Those considered to be members of high-risk groups include people who:
· Have had multiple sex partners or who have had a recent episode of a sexually transmitted disease.
· Inject illegal drugs or steroids, especially if they share needles. Injecting HIV-infected blood (such as from sharing needles for injecting illegal drugs or from an accidental stick with an HIV-infected needle) causes about 10% of infections.
· Received transfused blood or other blood products before 1985. Since all donated blood in the United States is now screened for HIV antibodies and all blood products are heat-treated to destroy HIV, the risk of exposure to HIV in transfused blood or blood products is low. Others who are at increased risk for HIV infection include: · People who have a sexual partner in one of the high-risk groups.
· Infants whose mothers are infected with HIV. The virus can spread from a mother to her baby during pregnancy, delivery, or during breast-feeding.
· People who have their ears or other body parts pierced with reusable needles that may not have been properly sterilized.
· People who have tattoos inked with reusable needles that may not have been properly cleaned.
· People who handle blood or body fluids as a routine part of their job. This includes health professionals, such as doctors, dentists, nurses, and blood and lab technicians. It also includes morticians and embalmers.
The period between becoming infected with HIV and the point at which antibodies to HIV can be detected in the blood (seroconversion period) can range from 2 weeks to 6 months. During this period, an HIV-infected person can still spread the disease, even though a test does not detect any antibodies in his or her blood. Price: $375.00 |
