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History of HIV Testing

HIV testing began in the early 1980s when the AIDS outbreak first became an issue. Because of the nature of the virus, it remains difficult to find a cure, but testing for it is one of the ways to prevent AIDS from spreading.

  1. Dr. Luc Montagnier

    • French researcher Dr. Luc Montagnier discovered the HIV virus. According to the National Inventors Hall of Fame, Montagnier had many discoveries with viruses and how they affected their hosts. He initially came up with the first test that tested blood samples for the presence of HIV.

    Dr. Robert Gallo

    • According to the National Inventors Hall of Fame, Dr. Robert Gallo is credited with making the connection of HIV being the culprit of AIDS. In 1985, Gallo and his team of researchers created the first blood test for HIV that was used in blood banks. In 1996, a second test was created to find the antigens (proteins) created by the HIV virus.

    HIV Antibody Testing

    • HIV antibody testing is done on donated blood at blood banks and diagnoses the infected. Early in the spread of the disease, testing was done on those suspected of being infected. Today, people get tested voluntarily, to know their HIV status so they are able to take further precautions if infected.

    ELISA Testing

    • Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay or ELISA tests were at one point the only way to be tested.This involves going to a specified technician to get tested. A small amount of blood is taken from the vein in the arm and put into a small tube. Today, options for getting tested has also expanded to at-home kits.

    At-Home Kits

    • These at-home kits make it easy and private for someone with no training to test for HIV. The test is done the same way as an ELISA test by taking a blood sample and sending it into the lab for testing. Both the ELISA and at-home kits are used today.

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