HIV Test

What is the HIV Test?

Homed-IQ’s HIV Test is a fourth generation laboratory test for HIV, detecting both HIV antibodies and the p24 antigen. When your body is first infected with HIV and has not had time to create antibodies to the virus, the blood has a high level of p24. Testing for both HIV antibodies and the p24 antigen enables earlier detection of HIV infections. 

How does the HIV Test work?

This is a finger prick blood test that requires a few drops of blood. You will receive detailed instructions with your test so that you can easily take your sample from home. After your sample is collected, mail the test kit to our certified laboratory with the enclosed prepaid shipping materials. You will receive the test results within a few days.

When can you test for HIV?

The window period is the time between when you were infected with an STI and when it is detectable with a test. Every STI has its own window period. If you test for an STI before the window period has passed, you may test negative even if you are infected. See below for more information about the specific window period per STI and determine when you can reliably administer this test.

What is the window period for HIV?

HIV: 4 weeks to 3 months. If the result is negative, then only reliably 3 months after sexual contact.

Source: Nederlands Huisarten Genootschap

The symptoms of HIV depend on the stage of infection.

Primary infection (Acute HIV)

Some people with HIV develop a flu-like illness 2-4 weeks after infection. This can be mistaken for a regular cold or flu or the symptoms may be so mild you do not notice them. A primary HIV infection can include symptoms of:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Rash
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Night sweats
• Swollen lymph nodes (mainly in the neck)

After a few weeks, the symptoms of an acute HIV infection will disappear. This is followed by a clinically latent phase of infection, where HIV is still present in the body but you may experience no symptoms for months or years. Many people on treatment for HIV remain in the latent phase for a long time.

Chronic HIV infection

As the amount of HIV in the blood increases and the immune system is weakened over time, symptoms and infections may become more noticeable and can include:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Diarrhoea
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Oral thrush (yeast infection)
• Weight loss
• Pneumonia
• Shingles (herpes zoster)

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Access to antiretroviral therapy has dramatically decreased the number of people with HIV who develop AIDS. Untreated, HIV usually turns into AIDS within 8-10 years.

When AIDS occurs, the immune system is severely damaged and there is a high amount of HIV in the blood. As such, people with AIDS are more likely to get illnesses and infections that would not cause illness in a healthy immune system. These are called opportunistic infections or opportunistic cancers. Signs and symptoms of these illnesses may include:

• Sweats
• Chills
• Fever
• Skin rashes or bumps
• Weight loss
• Chronic diarrhoea
• White spots or lesions on the tongue or in the mouth
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Fatigue

What is an STI?

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are diseases that are transmitted through sexual contact. You can be infected with or pass on a virus or bacteria to someone else during sex. This can be through the penis, vagina, anus, and sometimes also with your mouth or fingers. Many STIs cause little or no symptoms. However, in some cases STIs can cause uncomfortable symptoms at the location of infection or cause long-term damage to the body if infections go untreated. While most STIs are treatable, a prompt diagnosis and treatment is important for staying healthy. It is therefore important that you get tested if you have been at risk to know your own STI status, get treatment if needed, and to prevent STI transmission to others.

HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks your immune system, making you more vulnerable to invading viruses and bacteria. HIV attacks immune cells in your blood known as CD4 cells. CD4 cells help protect you against infections and illness. If your immune system is highly weakened and your CD4 cells drop to a low level, HIV can progress to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

HIV is is present in blood, semen, pre-cum, vaginal fluid, rectal fluid, and breast milk. HIV can be transmitted if these fluids enter your bloodstream, such as through a small cut or tear, needle stick injury, or childbirth. HIV is most often transmitted through anal or vaginal sex or sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injecting equipment.

You may not have many symptoms of HIV at first, and you may have the virus for years before you develop noticeable symptoms. Without treatment, however, your body’s immune system will decline, making you susceptible to many types of illnesses. This can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a chronic and life-threatening condition if left untreated. HIV can be detected with blood tests. HIV cannot be cured, but AIDS can be prevented through proper diagnosis and treatment. Timely and intensive treatment with antiretroviral therapy can make the blood “virus-free”, so that the person living with HIV is no longer contagious and has a normal life expectancy. With proper care and treatment, people with HIV can live healthy and happy lives.