Salient Aspects of HIV Testing Washington DC you Must Know

As the name suggests, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) targets the immune system. Failure to detect the HIV infection and lack of proper treatment leads to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), a fatal and serious condition.

HIV/AIDS ranks among the top global causes of death. AIDS is the last stage of HIV infection, as the lack of immunity makes the body prone to several infections. Timely treatment of HIV infection prevents the disease from progressing toward AIDS.

HIV can spread through unprotected sexual contact with someone who has the infection. It can also spread through blood infusion if the blood comprises HIV. There is no cure or vaccine for HIV infection to date. Physicians use certain medications to prevent the viral spread and manage the infected person's health parameters.

An individual suffering from HIV can remain normal by receiving proper treatment. Timely HIV testing Washington DC helps physicians plan treatment to keep the infection under control. HIV infection also spreads through the sharing of drug needles. Not all patients with HIV infection suffer from AIDS.

There is a greater risk of getting HIV if the individual has a pre-existing sexually transmitted disease. Sex workers and people in same-sex relationships are likely to get HIV infection.

There is more probability of HIV infection among black and Latin Americans. Unprotected sex is a common cause of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, putting the person at greater risk of getting HIV infection.

There is a greater likelihood of suffering from common infections like diarrhea and fungal problems, since HIV attacks and destroys the immune system. The following symptoms may be present in a person with HIV infection:

HIV Viral Load- This is the quickest test to determine HIV infection. HIV Viral Load test is also helpful to know the amount of virus in the blood. The test is suitable for HIV monitoring.

Antibody Test for HIV- The test for HIV Antibodies uses a swab sample of the person's saliva. It can detect the antibodies after a maximum of 12 weeks after the person gets an HIV infection.

Antigen/ Antibody test- The HIV Antigen/ Antibody test is the routine screening test to confirm an HIV infection in an individual. The antigen is a part of HIV, causing an immune response in an individual. The immune response is in the form of antibody production. The Antibody HIV Testing Washington DC detects antigen and antibody. It requires up to six weeks to detect HIV by using HIV Antigen/ Antibody test.

The above are symptoms of acute HIV infection lasting for a maximum of four weeks. The symptoms may disappear as the virus continues to attack the person's immune cells. HIV can be a silent infection in many people.