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HIV Elisa Test Information

The enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) is the standard form of HIV test. A sample of one of several body fluids is used to screen for the immune system's response to infection with HIV. HIVTest.org provides the basic information on these tests.

  1. Seroconversion

    • When the body is infected by pathogens, including HIV, the immune system activates and develops antibodies to fight off the infection. Developing a detectable level of antibodies is a process called seroconversion.

    Time Frame

    • The average time it takes to seroconvert is 25 days after infection; this may take up to six months. ELISAs check for the presence of antibodies to HIV, and so rely on seroconversion for an accurate result.

    Considerations

    • An ELISA done before an infected person seroconverts cannot show a true positive, so a person who suspects she has contracted HIV should not be tested until three months after exposure.

    Types

    • ELISA tests can be done on blood, oral fluid and urine, although urine tests are somewhat less accurate. HIV test results generally take a few days, but quicker tests are available; these are equally accurate but yield results in as little as 20 minutes.

    Confirmatory Test

    • If a positive result is found in the initial ELISA test, a confirmatory test is automatically run on the same sample.

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