HIV infection STD
HIV 1/2 infection (anti-HIV 1+2 serum)
Qualitative determination of HIV-1 p24 antigen and antibodies against HIV-1 and HIV-2.
This official test measures the presence of antibodies against the and HIV virus.
The HIV virus is the causative agent of the AIDS syndrome.
Antibodies are usually detectable in the blood from 4-6 weeks after infection, but in some cases as late as 12 weeks. The test result may be positive sooner than after 3 months, but a negative result within 3 months, after the risk contact, does not rule out HIV infection. Therefore, for a reliable test result, it is important to repeat the test after these three months if you previously got a negative result.
Why the HIV test?
Not so long ago an HIV infection led in almost all cases to AIDS, resulting in death. Nowadays an HIV infection can be suppressed for a long time with combination therapy so that you can stay reasonably healthy with HIV. It is important to catch it quickly. The sooner you know if you are infected with HIV, the sooner you can start determining how to start treatment, for example. If you are treated before you get sick, the results will be better than if you start treatment only after you have already gotten sick. If you get there too late, you can get AIDS. And despite modern treatment methods, that can lead to permanently poorer health.
The HIV test is very reliable. The test measures whether there are antibodies formed by the body in the blood. In some people these are formed after only 1 day against the virus, in others it may take longer.
There are two known variants of the HIV virus. The first discovered virus (HIV-1) is the most aggressive. In 1985, a variant of HIV-1 called HIV-2 was discovered in the western part of Africa. HIV-2 is less aggressive than HIV-1; its course is more benign and slower. People infected with HIV-2 have, on average, a longer life expectancy than those infected with HIV-1. This blood test tests for antibodies against both types of HIV.
An HIV infection (which can lead to AIDS) is shown if the p24 HIV protein or antibodies against HIV are present (the result is then positive). Sometimes antibodies are not detectable until more than 3 months after infection because a latent syphilis infection can manifest itself later, in which case we are talking about a period of up to 12 months.
If the result is positive (infection), you will be contacted by telephone.
In the case of a positive result, testing continues automatically with the blot confirmation test.
HIV-1 (blot) serum €69-HIV-2
(blot) serum €69
Please take these additional costs into account
Background information: Anti-HIV, HIV Test, AIDS Test
HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). You can become infected by the HIV virus by, among other things, unprotected sexual contact with an infected person and by reusing contaminated needles in drug use. Most HIV-infected people eventually develop AIDS. There are several variants of HIV. The HIV test used detects the known variants (HIV 1 and HIV 2). The HIV test detects the presence of antibodies that are formed by the human body to fight the HIV infection. The test also detects the presence of the p24 HIV protein. This is why the test is called HIV duo (measures p24 antibodies).
After infection with the HIV virus, the body makes the p24 HIV protein, among other things. After the immune system starts producing antibodies against HIV. It therefore takes some time before an HIV infection can be detected by a p24/antibodies test. Although the test can usually detect an infection after a few weeks, a safe period of 3 months after the risk contact is usually observed. It is therefore possible that you get a negative test result (the disease cannot be detected) during this period and that you are still infected.
Important: the test result can be positive earlier than after 3 months, but a negative result within a period of 3 months after the risk contact does not exclude HIV infection. Therefore, for a reliable test result, it is very important that you wait until 3 months after the risk contact to test, or repeat the test after these three months if you previously received a negative result.
If you suspect an infection in yourself or your sexual partner(s), it is wise to also get yourself tested. We recommend that you choose the time of testing so that you have someone to turn to for support and advice in the event of a positive result. Be aware that the results of an HIV test may affect your ability to obtain health and life insurance. If necessary, change your lifestyle and habits to exclude the possibility of infecting others until you are certain that you are not infected.
Negative result (the disease is not shown)
A negative result after three months of exposure does not completely rule out the possibility of HIV infection. Very sometimes it takes longer for the disease to be detected with the p24/antibodies duo test. For blood donors, therefore, a period of 12 months is used if there has been a possible risk of infection.
Positive result (the disease is detected)
The sensitivity and specificity of current tests are high (95% to 99.8%), which means that the chance of a false positive or false negative result is small. If the result is positive, the laboratory will reconfirm the result by another method, the Western Blot laboratory test or other appropriate test at no extra cost. You will only get a positive result if this confirmation test is also positive. In that case we advise you to seek help from your family doctor, GGD, or another (independent) doctor.
In case of physical complaints and positive test results, we advise you to immediately contact your family doctor, the Municipal Health Service (GGD), or another (independent) doctor.
For general questions about HIV/AIDS, please contact the independent AIDS STD Infoline, 0900 - 204 204 0
opening hours Mon and Tues from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wed, Thurs Fri from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
You can also ask your questions by email: [email protected] or chat at www.sense.info
or Korrelatie Foundation, [email protected ], or 0900 - 1450 (15 cpm, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
You can also chat for free at www.korrelatie.nl
