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What Is the Testing Procedure for HIV?

A typical HIV test looks for antibodies in the blood. After becoming infected with HIV, people develop antibodies within 6 to 12 weeks. For a most accurate result, testing three months after suspected infection is recommended.

  1. Location

    • Though there are various places to get a HIV test, it is recommended that you go to a doctor's office.

    The Test

    • Typically HIV is tested from a sample of blood collected from the arm. Results are not immediate as the blood is sent away to be examined at a laboratory.

    Other Methods

    • In countries such as the United States, Africa, the Middle East and Russia, there is an oral test that checks saliva for antibodies. This test can produce results in 20 minutes.

    Urine Test

    • It is possible to test for HIV via a urine sample, but the accuracy of this method is lower than the traditional blood or saliva test.

    Positive Results

    • Any positive result on an HIV test is followed-up by another test to confirm the diagnosis.

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