How fast is the Rapid HIV test

At present, there are at least two ways in determining human immunodeficiency virus. One of which is through a predictable lab blood test. This type of test is overseeded and its result can be released or can be available within 2 weeks or more. The other way of determining HIV is through rapid HIV test. Rapid HIV test or more often referred as point-of-care- tests is more convenient and faster than conventional laboratory blood test. This test can be done in just less than twenty minutes.

A rapid HIV test can be done in a community setting or doctor’s clinic, without any specialized laboratory equipment. Finger-prick saliva or blood samples are taken from the patient and immediately undergo tests rather than sending it to a laboratory for examination. The result can be out for a couple of minutes. If in case, the test result reveals to be positive, and then a confirmatory laboratory blood test is required. And if no antibodies have been detected or the results show negative, it doesn’t mean that a person is HIV free. It takes several months for an antibodies respond right after an HIV has been entered in a person’s bloodstream. Basically, it takes to 2-6 weeks after antibodies reach a detectable level.

The advantages and disadvantages of Rapid HIV test

One of the major advantages of rapid HIV test as associated with the other conventional blood test option is the result. Its result can usually be known within 10-20 minutes rather the-the conventional ways which can take to a couple of weeks. Some types of rapid HIV test are not invasive test. There is no need to prick your finger to get a sample of the blood. But there are also some types that are in need of a blood sample, more than just drawing the blood from your finger and via the needles. Fees and cost are also one of its pros. In considering for any form of HIV testing, fees or cost must be in considered. Rapid HIV test offers a cheaper and affordable method of getting an HIV test. Plus, it is also available in some remote communities, which are more accessible to take.

The test result can also be a disadvantage. It can’t assure that the result may be true. For HIV signs to show off, it may take several years. Most of the test works on the status of uncovering antibodies, barrier molecules produced by your body in light of the infections.  Unfortunately, the defect to this strategy is that the test is just effective when antibodies are available in adequate amounts. The window period, the time it takes for an antibody to achieve the required sum for exact detection, is customarily up to 3 weeks after the transmission of HIV, in spite of the fact that it can differ extensively, and sometimes the window period can be the length of 6 months. Therefore, it may not be easy to predict if one is infected with the virus. So they are advised to take a confirmatory test in a conventional laboratory blood test for further evaluation.

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