How long does aids take to show up before the doctors can test you for it?
Also can a women be given a smear test and be tested for aids this way too?
I will be greatfull of all your answers, the second one is there important.
Thanks
Zoe
Serious aids question
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Enzo
Re: Serious aids question
Doctors will initially test for the HIV virus (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
Which can lead to the AIDS virus (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)
Some people take longer than others to make antibodies to HIV-1. In most infected people, these antibodies will show up in the blood within three months. In some people, it can take up to six months or longer. This is important to know because the HIV-1 antibody tests cannot detect some recent infections. For example, if you became infected January, you might not test positive until June. It is during this period of time when people can test negative for HIV-1 antibodies but still infect others.
There are some home tests you can try although the blood specimen still needs to be
Sent to a lab for testing.
As far as I know it's not possible for a woman to be tested for HIV with a smear test
Because they actually check for antibodies, which are found in the blood.
There are loads of sites on this subject, a couple below.
http://www.aras.ab.ca/
http://www.athome-tests.com/
As always if you have any worries its best to get it checked by your doctor,
Preferably sooner than later.
Which can lead to the AIDS virus (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)
Some people take longer than others to make antibodies to HIV-1. In most infected people, these antibodies will show up in the blood within three months. In some people, it can take up to six months or longer. This is important to know because the HIV-1 antibody tests cannot detect some recent infections. For example, if you became infected January, you might not test positive until June. It is during this period of time when people can test negative for HIV-1 antibodies but still infect others.
There are some home tests you can try although the blood specimen still needs to be
Sent to a lab for testing.
As far as I know it's not possible for a woman to be tested for HIV with a smear test
Because they actually check for antibodies, which are found in the blood.
There are loads of sites on this subject, a couple below.
http://www.aras.ab.ca/
http://www.athome-tests.com/
As always if you have any worries its best to get it checked by your doctor,
Preferably sooner than later.
-
Tim
Re: Serious aids question
In the UK, nearly every clinic/doctor will send your sample for what is called an Eliza test. This will only show what is in the bloodstream as a developed virus.
In the US porn industry, they found this test to be unreliable as one actor tested negative and possitive in a 3 week period. Sadly, he was diagnosed as HIV+ in the end. This was about 4 years ago, and triggered a few scares and the more common use of condoms in films around that time.
The US now use a DNA test that is far more accurate and shows more than an Eliza test. To my knowledge, you can only get a DNA test in the UK if you are in prison, but that may have changed recently.
As Enzo says, there are numerous sources on the web, and your local GUM clinic (at hospitals etc.) will test you anonymously (sp?).
In the US porn industry, they found this test to be unreliable as one actor tested negative and possitive in a 3 week period. Sadly, he was diagnosed as HIV+ in the end. This was about 4 years ago, and triggered a few scares and the more common use of condoms in films around that time.
The US now use a DNA test that is far more accurate and shows more than an Eliza test. To my knowledge, you can only get a DNA test in the UK if you are in prison, but that may have changed recently.
As Enzo says, there are numerous sources on the web, and your local GUM clinic (at hospitals etc.) will test you anonymously (sp?).
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chris
Re: Serious aids question
There is an increasingly high body of opinion that HIV as we know it may not exist and certainly doesn't cause AIDS . www.virusmyth.com has all the details