I may have been exposed to HIV. What should I do?
The only way to know if you are infected is to get tested for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Immediately after infection, you may have flu-like symptoms. However, HIV is not diagnosed on the basis of symptoms, so getting tested is the only way to know if you are infected with the virus.
What is the incubation period?
The incubation period is the time between HIV infection and the appearance of signs and symptoms. This time interval may vary.
What is an HIV test?
The most common HIV test is the screening test that looks for antibodies to the virus in the blood. HIV antibodies are a kind of protein that the body produces in response to HIV infection.
It can be done with blood drawn from a vein or through a finger prick. Taking the test does not require any preparation and you do not need to be fasting to do so.
Where can I get tested?
Get tested to see if you are infected with HIV:
- at your health centre with a medical requisition
- at an HIV Early Detection and Counselling Centre (CAD)
- in a non-governmental organisation or community-based organisation
- in a pharmacy or in a clinical pathology/clinical analysis laboratory
What is the difference between a 3rd generation and a 4th generation test?
A 3rd generation test tests for anti-HIV1 and anti-HIV2 antibodies. A 4th generation test searches for the p24 antigen in addition to anti-HIV1 and anti-HIV2 antibodies. When a person is infected, before their body produces antibodies against the virus, they have high levels of p24 antigen in their blood. A 4th generation test can detect p24 antigen from 11 days to 1 month after infection.
In any case, a reactive result from a 3rd and 4th generation test alone does not allow a diagnosis of infection to be established.
What does a reactive result mean?
An antibody test with a reactive result means that anti-HIV1 and anti-HIV2 antibodies and/or the p24 antigen have been found. This result may mean that you are infected.
If the result is reactive, you will be referred to an appointment at a hospital of your choice where a confirmatory test will be done and, if the infection is confirmed, treatment will begin.
Early detection of infection allows for the adoption of practices that prevent the transmission of infection. This is of great importance, as immediately after infection, the level of HIV in the body is very high, increasing the risk of transmission. Early initiation of treatment for the infection should also be considered.
What does a non-reactive result mean?
If the result is non-reactive, it means that you are not infected. However, if you have had recent risky behavior and the test was performed within the immunological window period, you may need to repeat the test after a few weeks.
What does immunological window mean?
Immunological window is the term that defines the time that elapses between infection and the appearance of detectable HIV antibodies.
Generally speaking, from the time of infection, it takes the body about 3 months to produce enough antibodies to be detected by an HIV antibody test.
Is there an HIV vaccine?
There is currently no vaccine against HIV. Compliance with protective measures remains the only way to protect against HIV infection.
Source: Directorate-General for Health (DGS)