There are two main forms of HIV tests - the Antibody test, that will be cheap and designed for routine testing and the Antigen test which detects HIV soon after infection. There are three main options to take HIV tests in the UK. They are Home, private or NHS screening. We investigate the 3 options to take the test.

 

HIV Home screening was launched in the UK in 2006. People collects a saliva sample and sends it to a lab to be analysed. The screening was basically banned because there is no counselling available. However, post test counselling is available these days if the end result is not "all clear ".The issue is that the test is less reliable that a normal blood test, and a blood test with still be required to verify hiv clinic. The saliva test is less sensitive and is not likely to be able to detect a recent infection. Simply speaking the blood test is more reliable, and if you take the test with the NHS, the blood test is also free. There's also a property test that you can aquire that lets you take the sample and get the end result in the home, however Avert, the international AIDS and HIV charity, reports that test is illegal in the UK.

 

An exclusive HIV screening costs from around GBP 100. The advantage of visiting a clinic is that you can ensure a reliable result. An optimistic rapid HIV result which could use either blood or saliva must be followed up with a confirmatory test.

 

Alternatively you can visit a walk in NHS GUM clinic for free and confidential screening. The NHS will perform simple blood test, however patients in a greater risk group may also be offered the rapid HIV screening. An optimistic be a consequence of the NHS has the benefit of to be able to offer good counselling and referral to specialist HIV clinics.

 

Within the last few decade the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued revised guidelines to encourage healthcare providers to routinely offer HIV testing. The us government has been trying to boost the number of people who undergo HIV tests and learn their status. Although HIV antibody testing has been done since 1985, technology has evolved over the years and has brought in several new and improved procedures. The majority of the early procedures involved blood tests.

 

It is only recently that clinics look for antibodies in oral fluid or urine. The EIA (enzyme immunoassay), that will be applied to blood drawn from the vein is the most frequent screening procedure. It's been used to find antibodies to HIV and a positive reactive EIA requires a follow-up test like the Western blot.

 

Oral HIV: It follows the exact same screening and confirmation technique as blood tests but draws fluid from within the gums for testing. This is a non invasive procedure which is often used when blood draws are believed unsafe.

 

Rapid HIV: This test was approved in the U.S. in 1996. It produces quick results, usually in 10 minutes and is popular for fast turnaround time when compared to the typical HIV tests (EIA and ELISA) which take anyone to two weeks.

 

Urine-based: These tests must be ordered with a physician but they're believed to be less accurate when compared to other tests. Answers are confirmed by having an additional Western blot test.

 

The method of HIV testing could be overwhelming while there is a whole lot you need to know about different tests. However many people are prone to acquiring HIV and it is very important to obtain tested as part of routine health care.