The accuracy of the HIV-ELISA test after 6 months

Taking tests always want to get only reliable answers. Especially when the investigation for immunodeficiency. In this case, important is the accuracy of HIV tests, because it affects the future health of a man and his family. HIV testing do almost every clinical laboratory. It's enough to give a small amount of blood and wait a few days before issuing the result. ELISA HIV test the most common method of analysis to help identify antibodies to the virus, confirming its presence in the organism infected.

What is IFA

This method of study makes enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, which is based on the detection of antibodies. This method has immunochemical reaction that allows you to see what kind of antigen associated antibody. This analysis is considered to be one of the most accurate and convenient. It is used even in the case when PCR after viral load failed to get an accurate answer.

The most common heterogeneous ELISA. In it the patient's blood is mixed with antigens and adding antibodies, helping to create a molecular chain. It is possible to detect a protein of the virus and to prove that HIV in the human body is.

When conducting ELISA

As the virus is not visible immediately after exposure, needs some time for its propagation, and detection. Studies only help to give a more reliable answer. Depending on the concentration of virus in the body and the way it hits, it can manifest itself after a few weeks or a few months. To determine exactly when it will occur, nobody knows, each infected individual term.

Therefore, I advise you to do an ELISA several times. Mostly it is recommended after 6 weeks, 3 months and six months. It is this period, from the introduction of the virus into the body and prior to its detection, will be seronegative window. Therefore, the window period is carried out with the ELISA HIV test. Foreign doctors recommend to do the analysis on a HIV in 3 months, ignoring the semi-annual analysis. But a lot depends on the ELISA of his generation. The more people are constantly worried and afraid that HIV will not manifest themselves during this time. To really be sure and to reassure yourself, pass this analysis three times.

Features IFA

This method of research is found a few decades ago. Do the first generation ELISA was not as sensitive, requiring multiple tests at different times. After all, only a large viral load have helped to identify HIV ELISA. It was not very convenient, had for a long time to live in anxiety and constant fear for their health.

Therefore, IFA has not stood since then. Even now it continues to evolve, to seek new opportunities for faster and more accurate research and identification of the virus. This will help to detect it in a short period of time after infection and start early to take drugs to suppress it.

At the moment there are already 4 generation ELISA. The higher the generation, the faster and more accurate will be the analysis. Modern ELISA tests help to detect the P24 antigen, which appears before antibodies to the virus. It allows you to see the manifestation of the virus earlier than it was in years past. Perhaps after some time there will be a few more generations, which can detect HIV early in the infection.

If the ELISA is positive

In cases where the HIV-ELISA test is positive, do not fall into a state of panic. Perhaps people did not listen to the advice on preparation before testing or he had an acute viral infection. This can give these unwanted positive results.

In such a situation appoint additional re-test with other diagnostic methods. Often used immunoblotting method when looking for antibodies to individual proteins of the virus. The validity of such a study is quite high and allows to say with certainty about the presence or absence of virus in the body.

Preparation for IFA

So ELISA HIV test turned out to be true and accurate, it is advisable to listen to the advice of doctors in preparation for analysis. This helps to avoid false-positive results and unnecessary anxiety. Therefore, it is important to prepare the body.

It is not recommended to take alcoholic beverages for the day before taking the test. Ideally, it is desirable for a few days. Do not be too tight to eatbefore the test. The last meal possible 8 hours before giving blood for analysis. Usually take it in the morning, so the last meal we have for dinner. And in the morning the blood is already on an empty stomach.

If a person has had an acute viral disease, the accuracy of his tests will drop significantly. Advisable to consult a doctor about this or do a test a bit later, when the body is completely free from residual effects of an acute viral illness. But in case of a repeated test can use a different method that allows to reliably verify the presence or absence of the virus.

Pregnancy and ELISA

Pregnant women be sure to pass some of the tests and among them, ELISA HIV test. But this time is special because pregnancy can affect the accuracy of the results on HIV. That is why seemingly healthy woman receives a positive HIV test.

But do not despair and worry for their health and well-being of the unborn child. Such false tests may not be the fault of the staff but because of the special status of the mother. Some of the ongoing processes in the body significantly affect the results.

It happens that the woman's body sees the baby's body as a foreign object and begins to produce antibodies to it. If the period is quite small, and antibodies for many, it can often miscarriages occur. It is therefore advisable to become on the account in the beginning of pregnancy.

Also this is perfect for women time her body has slowed down, the immune system, too, and chronic illnesses that are trying a stronger impact on health.

Because of such situations and there are false positive results. But not to worry. Enough to take the test again and find out.

Where to get tested for HIV

Since the method of the study of IFA common, it is used in each laboratory. Therefore, the choice of location for giving blood for HIV, each chooses independently. It is only necessary to know the time of reception of analyses and address.

Optionally, you can visit the Center of AIDS and take the test there, because the work of this institution is aimed at this disease and problems with it. Study in it is no different from research in other laboratories.

On average, to obtain an analysis requires about 5 days. But some labs can do it in 3 days. It is understood that there may be occasions when the answer is delayed for a longer period. But this does not mean that the result will be positive. Perhaps kkaya the situation in the laboratory or a large number of analyses does not allow to do it quickly.

What to do in case of a positive ELISA

If the ELISA has turned positive, then assign re-analysis. Always do so, to avoid possible errors on the part of the patient's human factors and medical staff. In this case study can carry out a different method.

If reanalysis turned positive, you should consult a doctor. He will prescribe appropriate treatment and to track the status of an infected. Drugs and dosage are selected individually for each. It all depends on viral load and characteristics of the organism.

If the tests are in doubt, people can take them in several laboratories and then if you get results to compare. But the cases of errors are quite rare and mostly the results are accurate. If one partner was identified as HIV-positive, the other is preferably also pass the medical examination.

With proper treatment, suppressed the spread of the virus and a person can easily live on. If he doesn't talk about his disease, and no one will know, because doctors are not allowed to disclose medical confidentiality. But it is advisable to protect their friends and relatives, taking all safety measures.