When to test:
Our HIV test is 3rd generation HIV rapid test. It detect Anti HIV antibody (IgG, IgM, IgA)..
Lets look at what is (IgG, IgM, IgA)?
Immunoglobulins are protein molecules. They contain antibody activity and are produced by the terminal cells of B-cell differentiation known as ‘plasma cells’. There are five classes of immunoglobulin (Ig): IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD and IgE. In normal serum, about 80% is IgG, 15% is IgA, 5% is IgM, 0.2% is IgD and a trace is IgE.1
Quantitative serum immunoglobulin tests are used to detect abnormal levels of the three major classes (IgG, IgA and IgM).
Antigens are foreign substances that cause your immune system to activate. The antigen is part of the virus itself and is present during acute HIV infection (the phase of infection right after people are infected but before they develop antibodies to HIV).
Most, but not all people, will make enough antigens and antibodies for the test to accurately detect infection 2 to 6 weeks (13 to 42 days) after the possible exposure to HIV.
Why test?
Take the test if you have been exposed to another person’s blood, semen, vaginal fluids or breast milk, for example through unprotected sex (vaginal, anal or oral) or sharing injection drug equipment.
Benefits of testing include:
- Reduced anxiety about your health
- Information about risk, safer sex, etc.
- Earlier medical care if you are infected
The meaning of test results:
- Negative means no HIV antigen or antibodies found, either because you have not been infected with HIV, or you have not yet developed antigen or antibodies that can be seen on the test. (For most people, antigen or antibodies can be identified on the test within 2 to 6 weeks after infection.)
- Positive means HIV antigen or antibodies were found. A follow-up test will be conducted. If the follow-up test is also positive, HIV is present and you are able to infect others. It does not necessarily mean that you have symptoms.
- Indeterminate means that the test result is unclear and should be repeated.