The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus which causes HIV infection and at a later stage – Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). AIDS is that stage of HIV in which the person’s immune system fails considerably and ultimately leads to various types of deadly cancers.
Turning the pages of history, the HIV and AIDS epidemic began with a mere acute illness. Ever since the early detection, medical science has developed great antiretroviral drugs to compensate the effect of this virus. It has become possible for many HIV-positive people to live a longer and healthy life.
However, many HIV-infected people are not at all aware of the infection because of the uncertainty of symptoms. Some of us never experience any of them or some may take it to be the just flu or common cold or any other gastrointestinal or respiratory infection. Only about 1% of the urban lot was tested for HIV in 2001 in Africa. The sufferers are much more in rural areas as they are more prone to HIV transmission due to lack of better facilities.
Apart from normal people, the HIV virus is more devastating for pregnant women. It affects the growth of the precious life sprouting within. Therefore, they should be clinically tested and counseled in time. Donor blood should also be checked for HIV before transferring it.
So let us now understand when we should go for such tests:
Get Tested If You See Primary Stage Symptoms of HIV
As soon as the virus attacks its host, the person may experience some changes in his health and body. Within a month or two, some people may show signs of flu, also known as Acute Retroviral Syndrome (ART). Although sometimes, symptoms may not shine out even after years of infection! The common ones are:
- Skin rashes
- Fever
- Swelling in lymph nodes
- Body weakness
- Headache
- Some people at the acute stage itself may fall prey to additional symptoms like:
- Weight-loss
- Nail color changes
- Dry cough
- Pneumonia
- Nausea/Diarrhea
- Yeast infection
- Cold sores
- Menstrual irregularities and much
Early detection is important because the sooner you realize, the more prompt action can be taken in controlling the unstoppable growth of the virus and hence delaying the arrival of the last stage of HIV – the AIDS. Once the virus is contracted, it replicates thoroughly and flows freely in the bloodstream thereby increasing the chances of virus transmission. This is what makes it crucial to get tested for it instead of depending upon the symptoms.
Understand The The Window Period Before You Get Tested
This is also known as Incubation Period. It measures the potential exposure of a person to the HIV virus and the point where tests for it give a positive result.
Relying on symptoms for HIV detection surely increases the risk one poses to his/her life. After attacking someone, the virus takes almost 3 months to mature and give positive test result for itself. Rarely, it may take even more time. This duration i.e. time between the attack of the virus and final approval of it through the test is known as Window Period. Yet it is better to detect HIV even before the window period. It is done through a different type of test known as ‘viral load test’.
This is the prime period of growth for the virus as the person may still be under the illusion of being unaffected by it. Although it might be spreading its wings down below! Its span is different on different people. An individual may give positive result after 9 days of virus contraction while some may show it after 40 days. However, the average incubation period ranges from 25 days to 2 months. It is, therefore, advisable to go for testing after the expiry of the incubation period.
Popular HIV Tests That Are Commonly Used To Detect HIV Infection
The 4th Generation Duo Antibody/Antigen Test
After you have suspected yourself about being hit by the HIV virus, you can confirm it at an early stage itself, by undergoing the HIV 4th Generation Antibody/Antigen Test approved by FDA. The incubation period for this test is four weeks. Up to this time, 95% of the infections can be caught. Further after three months, one can detect almost 99.9% of the infections. The 4th generation test includes p24 tests, Tri-Dot and Duo tests.
Antigens are basically proteins surviving on the HIV particle’s surface. The person’s immune system produces antibodies in response to these antigens. Therefore, through this sensitive test, the infection can be diagnosed at an early stage.
HIV RNA Tests
Another test approved by FDA is the HIV RNA test which is used to monitor the progression of disease in an individual. It is regarded as a better option to diagnose HIV than the 4th generation test. Its incubation period is 9-11 days after exposure. However, it is costlier enough. The HIV virus is made up of genetic material called RNA. Since this test looks for the particular RNA of the virus, it gives the faster result. The time for antibody production and then detection is saved which is what happens in 4th generation tests.
The next stage of the HIV infection after the acute stage is the asymptomatic stage which may or may not show symptoms for a year or more. It is of utmost importance to have regular check up for HIV so that proper measures can be taken beforehand and prevent greater loss to an individual.
The moment the HIV virus enters your blood stream, it takes almost three months to mature and thus to show positive test result. Seldom has this virus taken more than this time frame to show its true color. If you are involved with any guilt trip activities, then instead of waiting out for symptoms of HIV detection to come out of the closet, you should without any hesitation go for a complete check up. Remember it is your life and your daily decisions.
