does the HIV testing work?
test checks to see if your body is making antibodies to fight HIV. If it
is, then you've been infected with HIV. The test does NOT tell you if
you have AIDS.
A simple test is taken of either blood or saliva. The sample is tested for HIV antibodies. It usually takes the body about 6 motnth ( longer in rare cases ) to make enough HIV antibodies for the test to detect. If HIV antibodies are found, it means the test is "POSITIVE." The sample is then retested. If the second test is POSITIVE, a different test is used to confirm the second positive result.
It may take days or weeks to get your results, depending on the testing center. A conselor will explain what your test results mean.
|Reliability||HIV tests are reliable. The chances for wrong results are small, especially when testing is done more than 6 months after infection.|
are many benefits to being tested.
If you're NOT INFECTED, the test can help you:
If you're INFECTED, the test can help you:
|Back To Main||What
is the HIV test?
Who should consider having an HIV test?
HIV infection and AIDS are not the same thing.
Are there benefits to being tested?
Test results - What do they mean?
Questions and answers.