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HIV Test Accuracy

Having an HIV test can be nerve wracking for anyone. Wondering about the accuracy of the test shouldn't be a concern, but it is for many people. Here are some of the considerations which can affect the accuracy of available HIV testing.

  1. How HIV Testing Works

    • A test to determine whether or not a person is HIV+ does not test to see if there is HIV present in the blood. Rather it tests to determine whether or not that person's body is making antibodies to fight HIV. Antibody levels can affect accuracy.

    Different Test Types

    • There are three tests commonly used to check for the presence of HIV antibodies; the ELIZA, the Western Blot test and the HIV Rapid test. Each test uses slightly different methods to achieve a result.

    ELIZA and Western Blot Accuracy

    • To ensure accuracy, the ELIZA blood test is given first. If it yields a positive result, a Western Blot is then performed. Together, the two tests are greater than 99% accurate.

    HIV Rapid Test Accuracy

    • The HIV rapid test is an oral swab test for which the results can be found in 20 to 40 minutes. There is a slight margin of error, however, making this test the most inaccurate. A positive result necessitates a confirmation with an ELIZA or Western Blot.

    False Positive Results

    • There are very few false positives, but they do happen. False positives happen at a rate of about 1 to 5 out of 100,000 tests given.

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