HIV, over the past few decades, has become among the most dreadful infections in the world resulting in millions of fatalities each year. The human immunodeficiency virus as it is known, destroys the immune system and those getting this virus become susceptible to developing several diseases and infections like tuberculosis, pneumonia, cancer etc. While there is no cure for this virus, proper diagnosis and prompt treatment is important since with prompt treatment this virus can be controlled. HIV testing can be used to identify the HIV antibodies and to make the diagnosis.

Through HIV testing, early treatment can be started and this can help in increasing the life expectancy of those suffering from the infection. If early treatment is started then the spreading of the virus can be controlled as can the growth of the virus. With this, patients can be protected from life threatening complications that tend to occur when the HIV infection progresses to AIDS. Once testing is done and the condition is identified, with prompt medical treatment, the possibility of pregnant women passing on the virus to their unborn child can be avoided.

HIV testing includes HIV antibody testing. In this, antibodies to HIV are detected with ELISA test, also called the Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay test. If the test comes out positive then it is repeated with same blood sample. The results of the test can be confirmed with the western blot test which is another test to detect the condition. With western blot test, the viral antigens are removed and shifted on nitrocellulose paper. The particular antibodies bind to antigens to give results in the form of bands. The US food & Drug Administration have also approved home collection kits wherein patients can take samples of blood from their finger at home and these can be mailed to the testing center.

In case, the HIV test comes negative then it can imply that the disease is not suspected at the time of the test. The antibodies to HIV develop in 3 months after exposure. So the testing should be done after the window period. In case of known risky behavior history, it is advisable to perform the test on regular basis so as to rule out the possibility of exposure to the HIV virus. The HIV antibody tests cannot be conducted in case of newly infected individuals as the antibodies take some type for development. Polymerase chain reaction is a test, also known as viral load, it can be used to measure even a small amount of virus. This test can be used for detection, particularly in case of a newly infected individual.

Polymerase chain reaction is an important part of HIV testing and detects HIV directly in the blood of a person. Other tests that can be done include RIPA which is a blood test and this is done if the results given by western blot test are not definite. This test is also done in case of low antibody levels. Another test that can be done in case of unclear western blot results includes immunofluorescence assay test.