Just how do HIV tests perform and what's involved?

It's really common to feel a little worried about choosing an HIV test. But making your decision to check is the greatest thing you can certainly do for your health. The procedure is quick, painless, confidential and almost always free.

Based on where you are on the planet, there are a number of locations that you may get tested for HIV. The most effective first faltering step is to search online for "HIV testing", plus your location. This may generally offer you a good idea of where to go, or at least offer you a starting point.

If you have limited access to the internet, it's always worth asking local sexual health charities or health authorities to see that which you have in your area – they ought to also manage to direct you to somewhere that provides testing for free.

Before you test, your healthcare worker will talk to you about your sexual health, why you've decided to test, and any risks you could have taken.

Remember, the healthcare professional isn't there to judge you. There is most likely nothing you are able to say which they haven't heard from someone else. Be honest using them, and ask as numerous questions as you need – that is what they're there for.

You ought to never feel pressured to test. The outcomes is going to be completely confidential and you should only proceed through with it if you want to.

If you have any questions regarding the place and how to use HIV home test, you can get hold of us at our own web site. Modern HIV tests are incredibly accurate. There are always a variety of different HIV tests and your healthcare worker should explain which test you will undoubtedly be given and the way you are certain to get your result. Normally, testing involves taking a small sample of blood from either your finger or your arm, or an example of oral fluid.

Just how long an HIV test takes to offer a precise result depends on the kind of test you are taking. If you're taking a rapid test, you will be given your results within 20 minutes. Other types of tests is likely to be provided for a laboratory and you could have to hold back for the effect that might take between several days to some weeks for you really to receive your final result.

When you feel contaminated with HIV, the body will quickly produce specific antibodies (proteins that put on the virus to try and destroy it). An HIV antibody test looks for these antibodies in your blood, saliva or urine. If these antibodies are found, this means you're infected with HIV. This test is only accurate three months after exposure, because this is how long it will take your system to make enough antibodies because of it showing up in a test. It usually a couple of days to a couple weeks to have results back for this kind of test.

Fourth generation tests look for HIV antibodies, but additionally for something called p24 antigens. The p24 antigens are section of HIV itself, so you've lots of these in your blood in the very first couple of weeks after infection. This is why you are most infectious to others in this period too. Fourth generation tests can reliably detect HIV from a month after you have been infected. It always takes a couple of days to a few weeks to obtain results back for this sort of test.

There's now many different different rapid tests. Most test for HIV antibodies by going for a prick of blood from your own finger. These tests are only accurate 90 days after exposure. Rapid tests give results in just 20 minutes, so results may now be given on the spot at many healthcare centres. While these tests are reliable, laboratory testing may be better in a few situations, as rapid tests have a somewhat higher possibility of giving a'false positive'result (shows you have HIV once you don't).