HIV testing is a big deal for most people. It is recommended that everyone between the age of 13 and 64 gets tested, especially if they are sexually active. It can be done as a part of a healthy, routine health checkup.

Tests for HIV

At this time, there are three tests available for you to use if you are concerned that you may have been exposed to HIV. The first is a NAT. It looks for the actual HIV virus in the blood. It is an expensive test that is most of the time reserved for high-risk individuals. The antigen or antibody tests look for both forms of HIV. Antibodies are in your immune system and antigens are foreign substances that make your immune system activate so that HIV can be found even before antibodies develop. This test is available in rapid form so that your doctor and you can know quickly what is going on. Antibody tests are most commonly used at home by people who feel they have been put at risk. Most of the time, results are known within 30 minutes after a finger prick.

Positive Results

If you do the rapid test at home and receive positive results, you will want to schedule an appointment quickly for further testing by your doctor. It could be that you are HIV positive, which by no means indicates that you have AIDS. AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV and is likely to form only if you avoid being treated for HIV. To save your life, medications and treatments are the only way to go.