Different types of HIV tests you need to know about
| Updated: Jan 15, 2019, 11:50 IST
HIV is one of the most common diseases that are plaguing our society today. While it may not seem necessary, it is always best to get yourself tested for HIV when you make a major life decision like wanting to get married. For those uninitiated, there are three types of HIV tests - the HIV Antibody test, HIV Antibody/Antigen combination test, and HIV Nucleic Acid (NAT) RNA test. Apart from having different testing windows, they each also detect HIV by looking at different specimens in the blood.
HIV Antibody Test (3rd Generation HIV Test):
This test conducts a search in the blood for the presence of antibodies that were created to fight against the HIV virus. If these antibodies are present in your body it means the virus is present too. However, this test is now outdated which is why it usually is not offered.
HIV Antibody/Antigen Tests (4th Generation HIV Test):
This test conducts a search in the blood for the presence of not just antibodies but even antigens that were produced against the HIV virus. This test works better than the one mentioned above as it can give more accurate results and two forms of identification are always better than one. If both of these antibodies and antigens are present in your body then the virus is also present.
HIV RNA Test:
This one is a nucleic acid assay (NAT or NAAT) blood test that can detect HIV ribonucleic acid (RNA) which makes up the virus' genetic material. It can detect the most common strain of HIV in lesser time than the tests mentioned above which is why it is often also known as HIV Early Detection test.
Well, now that you know what kinds of tests there are, you can make an informed decision. Stay tuned for more updates.
HIV Antibody Test (3rd Generation HIV Test):
This test conducts a search in the blood for the presence of antibodies that were created to fight against the HIV virus. If these antibodies are present in your body it means the virus is present too. However, this test is now outdated which is why it usually is not offered.
HIV Antibody/Antigen Tests (4th Generation HIV Test):
This test conducts a search in the blood for the presence of not just antibodies but even antigens that were produced against the HIV virus. This test works better than the one mentioned above as it can give more accurate results and two forms of identification are always better than one. If both of these antibodies and antigens are present in your body then the virus is also present.
HIV RNA Test:
This one is a nucleic acid assay (NAT or NAAT) blood test that can detect HIV ribonucleic acid (RNA) which makes up the virus' genetic material. It can detect the most common strain of HIV in lesser time than the tests mentioned above which is why it is often also known as HIV Early Detection test.
Well, now that you know what kinds of tests there are, you can make an informed decision. Stay tuned for more updates.