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Results
By Mayo Clinic staff
Negative HIV test results
A negative test result from HIV testing may mean one of two things: You don't have HIV, or it's too soon yet to tell.
If you were only recently exposed to HIV, you could test negative for HIV antibodies because your body hasn't had time to create them yet. You may want to be retested for HIV antibodies in a few months or opt for one of the early-detection tests.
Positive HIV test results
Although there's no cure for HIV/AIDS, treatment has come a long way in the past few decades, offering extended and improved quality of life for many. If HIV is well treated, infected people can have a near-normal life expectancy. Early treatment can help you stay well and delay the onset of AIDS. Tell your partners if you test positive for HIV because they will need to be evaluated and possibly treated, as well.
- 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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