HIV Testing: What You Need to Know
The Telangana State AIDS Control Society (TSACS) has committed to the control and prevention of HIV/AIDS by opening numerous HIV testing centres across Hyderabad.HIV/AIDS is one of the most disastrous diseases that is known to degrade the quality of life of patients. Patients suffering from HIV/AIDS become victims of weakened immunity. However, one of the best ways to combat this disease is to undergo early testing.
The survival rate of HIV-infected patients
depends on how early they go through detection. Early testing for HIV helps
patients lead a life of decent quality. It also helps them undergo the right
therapy at an appropriate time. There are different types of HIV tests that a
potential HIV-infected patient may go through. These tests include the HIV viral load test, western blot test, CD4 count, and ELISA test.
Let us now discuss the importance of these HIV tests.
Viral Load Test
The viral load test is an HIV PCR test
that uses a Polymer Chain Reaction for the identification of the viral RNA
in the blood sample.The amount of HIV RNA found in the blood is directly
proportional to the severity of the infection.
Western Blot Test
The HIV western blot test is done to
detect the HIV antibodies in the blood sample. This test resembles the ELISA
test. However, you can totally rely on the accuracy of its results.
ELISA Test
The Enzyme-Linked Immunodeficient Assay (ELISA) also detects the presence of HIV antibodies in the blood. However, the ELISA
test doesn’t give highly accurate results.
CD4 Count
An HIV CD4 count
is done to calculate the number of CD4 cells in
the patient’s blood. A low CD4 count may suggest a positive HIV infection. This
is because, if the number of CD4 cells is less, then the patient has a weak
immune system.
Conclusion
Any individual who is at risk of a possible HIV
infection must undergo immediate HIV testing. This way, they can start with the
necessary medications at the right time. This, in turn, can help strengthen
their immune system and also prevent the transmission of the virus.
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