HIV I & II Antibody
in Men & Women

The CDC estimates that approximately 250,000 individuals in the United States are infected with HIV and have no knowledge of the infection because of a lack of symptoms. This is why undergoing STD testing regularly is so important. Having an undetected infection makes it more likely that a person will unknowingly spread the disease to others. When caught early, HIV can be effectively managed. The only reliable way to accurately determine whether or not you have HIV is to undergo an easy STD screening for the disease. Many people remain asymptomatic for ten years or more. Other individuals may display symptoms within weeks of contracting the virus. Early symptoms of HIV often resemble symptoms of the flu. This early illness is called HIV seroconversion syndrome. Symptoms include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, fever, headache and muscle ache, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and rash. The symptoms of HIV seroconversion symptoms generally can begin to present themselves anywhere from 4to 8 weeks after an exposure. As the infection progresses, the flu-like symptoms may become stronger. Additionally, an individual may experience fatigue, memory loss, weight loss, ulcers, or gingivitis. Women may experience recurring yeast infections of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) that does not respond to treatment.

When left untreated, HIV infections can lead to very severe and long lasting health problems, including AIDS. HIV infections that are detected early are generally manageable with proper medical treatment. Appropriate care can delay the onset of AIDS. Long term effects of HIV infections include severe damage to the immune system and eventually the development of AIDS. With a weakened immune system, an individual becomes vulnerable to other diseases or ailments, including cancers, parasites, and bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. This is why it is crucial to undergo routine STD checks in order to detect an infection in its early stages and quickly initiate a treatment plan. Individuals that are at higher risk of contracting HIV are:
» Intravenous drug users
» Sexually active individuals who have multiple partners
With all of the risks involved with an undetected infection, it is very important to be sure you know your status. Don’t take a chance with your health, get checked today with STDExperts.

Getting checked for HIV is a very easy process. Our HIV screenings involve no uncomfortable swabbing or undressing. Simply place your order and bring a copy to one of our certified lab centers. No preparation is needed so there is no need to fast or do anything beforehand. When getting checked for HIV, you will only need to submit a blood sample. The sample will then be used to either run an HIV I& II Antibody test or an HIV Early Detection test. The HIV Antibody Test looks for the presence of antibodies to HIV in your blood. If the initial HIV Antibody test results are positive, a follow up assay is run to confirm the diagnosis. The early detection HIV test looks for the presence of the actual HIV virus in your sample instead of screening for antibodies to the virus. This screening is FDA approved and is one of the most accurate early detection methods available. If the results are positive, a follow up check will confirm the results. Your results will be available to you in as little as three days. If your results are positive, you will have a consultation with a member of our clinical team to plan your next course of action and, if appropriate, treatment will be prescribed.

Treating HIV can be very successful if the infection is caught in its earlier stages. There is no cure for HIV but with proper treatment, it can effectively be managed and many of the complications that may occur can be prevented, including the onset of AIDS. This is why it is so important to catch it in the early stages. Once an HIV infection has been identified, one of our physicians or a referred specialist in your area will guide you on your treatment plan. This typically includes a combination of very strong antiretroviral medications to combat the virus. It is very important that you follow all the specific medical instructions. Even though there are treatment options, an HIV infection cannot be cured. However, catching the infection early and undergoing appropriate medical treatment can delay the onset of AIDS and help an infected individual live a long, full life. The CDC estimates that 1.1 million people are living with HIV in the United States.

HIV is a disease that is most often transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse, sharing needles, or childbirth. It is incurable and can lead to very severe complications so it is important to educate yourself on the facts about HIV, how to prevent infection and how to identify possible symptoms. If you are facing a positive result for HIV, know that you are not alone. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), over 1.1 million people are living with HIV infections in the United States. While a positive result may seem scary, treatment for HIV can be effective in managing the infection if caught early. Our clinical staff can assist you in planning your next move and may be able to prescribe treatment directly or refer you to a physician in your area who will do so. Though HIV can be managed, it is very easy to prevent. Abstaining from sexual activity and intravenous drug use are the number one ways to prevent contracting HIV. If you choose not to abstain, however, using clean needles and safe sex methods can help you avoid an infection. Additionally, it is important to know the status of your sexual partners. Engaging in monogamous sexual relationships with uninfected partners is an effective preventative measure. Talk openly with your partner(s) about their sexual health and yours and consider undergoing regular STD screenings together as a way to prevent the spread of infections.

While many people often think of HIV and AIDS as interchangeable diseases, they are in fact not the same. Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV, is a virus that may cause Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or AIDS. In other words, HIV may lead to AIDS, but they are NOT the same medical condition. AIDS occurs in advanced stages of an HIV infection, typically. When a person contracts HIV, the initial stages of infection may present mild symptoms or no symptoms, at all. Even so, the virus will wreak havoc on the individual's immune system, damaging and weakening it over time. It is in the later stages of these immune system attacks that AIDS may develop. A person has advanced to AIDS when CD4 levels drop below a level of 200 cells per milliliter of blood. At this point, since the immune system is so weakened, it is common for a person to develop what are called opportunistic infections. These are infections that are typically able to be fought by a healthy person's immune system and can include tuberculosis, lymphomas, pneumonia, and other bacterial or fungal infections. Generally, it is these opportunistic infections that result in the death of a patient, not AIDS itself. There is no guarantee that a person who contracts the HIV virus will eventually have AIDS, as well. When caught early, HIV treatments can be extremely effective in managing the condition and can often prevent an infected individual from advancing to AIDS. This is why it is so important to undergo regular checks for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Detecting the infection is the most important step to treatment, and allowing HIV to go untreated for extended periods of time can result in the development of AIDS and other complications. Know your status and get checked today.