AIDS Day is celebrated on 1 December to spread awareness about AIDS and its prevention across the world. It is very important to know about the ways to prevent and manage HIV i.e. Human Immunodeficiency Virus. If a person infected with HIV is not treated at the right time, the risk of AIDS increases. For timely treatment, first, correct diagnosis is necessary. The biggest reason for getting infected with HIV is unsafe sex. Apart from this, this infection can also occur due to transfusion of infected blood and injection of drugs. Let us know from experts which tests are necessary to detect it, when these tests should be done and what are its initial symptoms. This information is being given by DrVigyan Mishra, Chief of Lab, Newberg Diagnostics, Noida.

Test to detect HIV infection

  • HIV infection is detected through many tests.
  • These tests tell about the virus in the body or the antibodies made in the body to fight it.
  • The most common test is the HIV antibody test, which detects antibodies made in the body in response to HIV.
  • The second most common test is the antigen or antibody test, which provides information about HIV antibodies and antigens in the body.

When should an HIV test be done?

When any person feels that he has been exposed to risk, he should get this test done in about 3-4 weeks. This virus does not show its effect immediately after entering the body, rather one has to wait for the window period. So first of all, if you feel that you have come in contact with the virus, go to the doctor. He will be able to give you the correct guidance.

Early Signs of HIV

  • Symptoms of HIV differ from person to person and do not appear immediately.
  • Initial symptoms include fever, feeling tired and swollen lymph nodes.
  • When the infection becomes serious, symptoms like weight loss, feeling very tired while getting up and doing some work and the body becoming vulnerable to infection again and again start appearing.
  • Let us tell you that in some people suffering from HIV, its symptoms are not visible for years.

Image Credit: Freepik