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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing determines whether or not you're infected with HIV, a virus that weakens your immune system and can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Some HIV tests check for antibodies that your immune system produces in reaction to HIV infection. Other HIV tests look for evidence of the virus itself. Rapid tests can produce results in less than 30 minutes.
References
- HIV infection: Detection, counseling and referral. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2010/hiv.htm. Accessed Oct. 17, 2011.
- HIV testing basics for consumers. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/testing/resources/qa/index.htm. Accessed Oct. 17, 2011.
- Bartlett JG. Serologic screening for HIV infection. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 17, 2011.
- HIV antibody. American Association for Clinical Chemistry. http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/hiv-antibody/tab/sample. Accessed Oct. 17, 2011.
- p24 antigen. American Association for Clinical Chemistry. http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/p24/tab/sample. Accessed Oct. 17, 2011.
- Bartlett JG. Diagnostic assays for HIV infection. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 17, 2011.
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