What is the test ?
It is to test for HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the final stage of HIV infection. Some persons infected with HIV do not have any symptoms for more than a decade. They can be infectious even at this stage.
Why do the test ?
For treatment of the affected individual and prevention of further transmission of the virus to others.
Who should do the test ?
Persons at increased risk should do the test. These include :
● Those with other STIs
● Men who have sex with men
● Past or present injecting drug users
● Persons who exchange sex for drugs or money, and their sex partners
● Persons whose past or present sex partners were HIV-infected
● Persons who have had a blood transfusion or an organ transplant that had not previously been screened.
Pregnant women should be tested in the 1st trimester.
How often should screening be done?
● Persons who continue practising unsafe sex should be screened every 6 months
● Persons with recent unsafe sexual conduct should be screened at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months interval after the last possible contact to rule out a possible initial false negative result.
Screening is done using a blood test for HIV antibody.
