test Details

HIV Infection, Generalized Lymphadenopathy, Tuberculosis, Fungal infections

HIV I & II Antibodies - ELISA Test is used to diagnose HIV. The human immunodeficiency virus, abbreviated as HIV, is commonly found in two strains- HIV I and HIV II. HIV I and II can undergo mutation and attack the body's immune system due to their toxicity against the white blood cells. Once HIV enters the body via sexual transmission, untested blood transfusion or a transplant, the person "has HIV infection and not necessarily AIDS."

HIV does not always mean having AIDS. As the immune system progresses towards damage and weakness, it makes the body susceptible to a truckload of infections. Once the body is attacked by other opportunistic diseases like tuberculosis, herpes zoster virus or cancer, it is believed that the person has "AIDS." Only the last and fatal irreversible stage of HIV infection is known as the stage of AIDS.

Both HIV I and II are transmitted in similar ways, but a simple depiction of the differences between HIV I and HIV II is as follows:

We can achieve an HIV-free generation by assuring awareness, timely HIV I & II Antibodies - ELISA tests and reducing the practice of unprotected sex.

According to India HIV Estimation 2019 report, HIV prevalence has recently witnessed a declining and stabilising trend. Although the rate of HIV infection is reducing among the general and educated population of India, the risk of developing AIDS remains a stressing factor due to its varied mode of transmission:

1. Sexual transmission: Vaginal, anal and oral sex and homosexual, heterosexual and bisexual contact.
2. Mother to child: HIV may pass from the placenta, breastfed milk or during delivery to the child.
3. Blood transmission: Mismatched/contaminated blood transfusions.
4. General factors:

• General unawareness
• Lack of sex education
• Increased practice of unprotected sex
• Poverty
• Inaccessibility to community clinics
• Drug abuse, skin piercings, tattooing

With the launch of awareness campaigns for HIV and AIDS, India digitally connects people living with HIV to social protection schemes and provides free HIV treatment. You can get more details on the NACO AIDS APP. As a global citizen, you must show community participation and stay aware of lowering the risk of getting or transmitting HIV.

Other names for HIV I & II Antibodies - Elisa test

• HIV I and II Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Anti-HIV 1+2 ELISA
• HIV 1 and 2 Antibody - ELISA
• The ELISA test for HIV
• HIV I and II EIA Test

What does the HIV I & II Antibodies - ELISA Test detect or measure and who is this prescribed for?

The HIV I & II Antibodies - ELISA test identifies the causative agents of HIV infection, i.e. presence or absence of HIV I or II antibodies in the blood.

The HIV I & II Antibodies - ELISA test can detect:

1. HIV infection
2. AIDS opportunistic infections:

• Generalised lymphadenopathy
• Tuberculosis
• Hepatitis
• Herpes zoster or shingles
• Kaposi's sarcoma
• Encephalopathy, neuropathy, retinitis

HIV I & II Antibodies - ELISA test is prescribed to:

• Patients between 13-65 years old, irrespective of any risk factors.
• High-risk individuals
• Patients diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, hepatitis.
• Couples planning a pregnancy.
• Sex workers
• HIV-positive mother or the sexual partner.
• History of infected blood transfusions.

When should I take an HIV test?

If you are sexually active, you should take an HIV test along with your partner before you plan to have unprotected sex, donate blood or plan a pregnancy. Other factors to be considered for getting tested are:

• You have multiple sexual partners with unprotected +sexual activity.
• You are an active IV drug abuser
• You have a history or current STD
• You have a family history of HIV infection
• You are diagnosed with hepatitis, tuberculosis, oral candida, etc.

In such cases, you must get tested using an HIV I & II Antibodies - ELISA test.

In HIV I & II Antibodies - ELISA test:

The results of HIV I & II Antibodies - ELISA test interpretation can be depicted in two ways:

1. On the basis of positive/negative HIV I & II Antibodies - ELISA test results:

2. On the basis of the six phases of HIV infection:

The HIV I & II antibodies - ELISA test results analyse a blood sample collected from the arm's vein. In various laboratory settings, healthcare professionals might use oral fluid specimens, not saliva, as a sample to detect HIV I & II antibodies using the ELISA technique.

Test Preparation

1. Before the test

No special preparation is needed before HIV I & II Antibodies - ELISA procedure.

• Fasting is not required.
• The doctor will take your consent before the exam and assure you of confidentiality.

2. During the test

A nurse or sample collector will use your arm's vein to collect the blood sample. Preferably, wear a short sleeve for convenience during sample collection.

3. After the test

When done hygienically and according to protocol, the procedure of HIV I & II Antibodies - ELISA test poses no serious threats to an individual. There might be slight soreness due to needle insertion and lightheadedness. Your doctor will provide you with the spirit of motivation and risk reduction counselling.

Test inclusions: What parameters are included?

HIV I & II antibodies - ELISA test detects HIV I or HIV II antibodies in the blood sample. After the initial infection, antibody response usually takes two weeks to three months to appear in the blood and only then the person gets to know about positive HIV results.

How frequently should you take this test?

The HIV test is crucial due to its long window period of approximately three months between catching an HIV infection and getting enough HIV I or II antibodies for positive results. Thus, considerations should be made as follows:

• 14-65 years old individuals without any risk factors should get screened for HIV at least once in three years.
• High-risk group individuals like heterosexual, bisexual, homosexual partners, IV drug abusers, and patients with STDs should get tested using an HIV I & II antibodies - ELISA test whenever any symptoms occur and at least once annually.

Consult your healthcare professional or physician about the steps regarding follow-ups for Antiretroviral Therapy (ART).