Do I need testing for HIV?
You should call us at 1-866-297-9736 if you are concerned about
HIV or any of the following apply.
If you:
- have had unprotected sex
- are a man who has sex with other men who have had other male partners
- have used I.V. drugs
- have had a needle stick or any occupational exposure
- are not in a monogamous relationship
- have had any procedure where you might receive blood products before 1985
- are pregnant and at possible risk
- have a current or past partner that tested HIV positive
- are a victim of sexual assault
- are traveling outside of the U.S. where HIV testing is a VISA requirement
- have started a new relationship
- have never been tested before
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) Antibody 1/O/2 Screen
The most common test for HIV is the ELISA. Instead of looking for HIV itself, the test is actually looking for the way your body responds to the virus. Once the immune system recognizes HIV, it responds by producing antibodies. This antibody response can start to show as early as 3-4 weeks. By 6 weeks, 95-97% of people infected with HIV would most likely show a detectable antibody response. At 3 months the ELISA is considered conclusive for a healthy individual. Persons with an immune deficiency may want to wait 6 months from the exposure or talk to a testing representative about DNA PCR testing which is not dependent on antibody production.
HIV antibody testing through Axiom Medical is done with the 3rd generation micro-ELISA, considered the most up-to-date ELISA available. Axiom Medical's testing procedures ensure that each specimen is collected by a phlebotomist and processed through a CLIA approved laboratory.
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)DNA by PCR with Antibody Screen
The HIV DNA PCR with Antibody Screen is one of the most accurate tests for identifying an HIV infection. This test can exclude infection after twenty-eight days from a possible exposure to HIV.
The HIV DNA PCR with Antibody Screen verifies the presence or absence of HIV DNA or the genetic material of HIV. This test can detect an HIV infection as early as 72 hours after exposure to HIV, however it is not considered conclusively "not detected" for a full 28 days potential exposure.
The HIV DNA PCR with Antibody Screen needs only 10 copies/mL of whole blood to detect an HIV infection. During the initial 10-16 days following an exposure ti HIV a person's plasma viremia will approach millions of copies/mL of whole blood. This suggests that the HIV DNA PCR with Antibody Screen is a strong indicator of HIV infection after only that short period of time.
Call to speak with a testing representative for more information.
