HIV Testing | HIV DNA PCR Testing

HIV TESTING

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Do I need testing for HIV?

You should call us at 1-866-297-9736 if you are concerned about

HIV or any of the following apply.

If you:

have had unprotected sex
are a man who has sex with other men who have had other male partners
have used I.V. drugs
have had a needle stick or any occupational exposure
are not in a monogamous relationship
have had any procedure where you might receive blood products before 1985
are pregnant and at possible risk
have a current or past partner that tested HIV positive
are a victim of sexual assault
are traveling outside of the U.S. where HIV testing is a VISA requirement
have started a new relationship
have never been tested before

The most common test for HIV is the ELISA. Instead of looking for HIV itself, the test is actually looking for the way your body responds to the virus. Once the immune system recognizes HIV, it responds by producing antibodies. This antibody response can start to show as early as 3-4 weeks. By 6 weeks, 95-97% of people infected with HIV would most likely show a detectable antibody response. At 3 months the ELISA is considered conclusive for a healthy individual. Persons with an immune deficiency may want to wait 6 months from the exposure or talk to a testing representative about DNA or RNA PCR testing which is not dependent on antibody production.

Axiom Medical's testing procedures ensure that each specimen is collected by a phlebotomist and processed through a CLIA approved laboratory.

Symptoms of HIV:

Acute HIV:

mild flu-like symptoms about 2-6 weeks after date of infection

Advanced HIV:

swollen lymph nodes in neck, armpit, or groin
continued fever or night sweats
weight loss of more than 10 pounds (when not dieting)
heavy, continual, dry cough that is not from smoking or has lasted too long to be cold or flu related
increasing shortness of breath
continuing bouts of diarrhea
thrush (a thick whitish coating on the tongue or in the throat) which may be accompanied by a sore throat
recurring vaginal yeast infections
unexplained skin rashes (i.e.: psoriasis or seborrhea)
herpes outbreaks that may last unusually long.

HIV PCR TESTING

The HIV DNA PCR is one of the most accurate tests for identifying an HIV infection. This test can exclude infection after 14 days from a possible exposure to HIV.

The HIV DNA PCR identifies the presence or absence of HIV DNA or the genetic material of HIV. This test can detect an HIV infection as early as 72 hours after exposure to HIV, however it is not considered conclusively "not detected" for a full 14 days potential exposure.

The HIV RNA PCR can rule out HIV as early as 1 week post exposure as it detects the actual particles of HIV in the blood.

Both tests are easy to arrange with walk in labs in your area. Call to speak with a testing representative for more information.