Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Test

Results

A human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test detects antibodies to HIV in the blood. This determines whether an HIV infection is present (HIV-positive). ELISA results are usually available in 2 to 4 days. Results of the other tests, such as the Western blot or IFA, take 1 to 2 weeks.

HIV tests

Normal:	No HIV antibodies are found. Normal results are called negative.
	If an antibody test is done during the seroconversion period and is negative, repeat testing is needed. Most people have antibodies to HIV within 6 months after becoming infected. If a repeat test at 6 months is negative, there is no infection.
	Another test to look for genetic material can be used to find infection in people who still have a negative ELISA but who may have a chance of being infected.
Uncertain:	Test results do not clearly show whether a person has an HIV infection. This is usually called an indeterminate result. It may occur before HIV antibodies develop or when some other type of antibody is interfering with the results. If this occurs, a PCR test, which detects HIV RNA, may be done to see if the virus is present.
	A person who still has indeterminate results for 6 months or longer is called "stable indeterminate" and is not considered to be infected with HIV.
Abnormal:	HIV antibodies are found. These results are called positive.
	A positive ELISA is repeated using the same blood sample. If two or more ELISA results are positive, they must be confirmed by a Western blot or IFA test. The ELISA test can cause false-positive results. No one is considered HIV-positive until he or she has a positive Western blot, IFA, or PCR test.

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: March 1, 2007
Medical Review:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Peter Shalit, MD, PhD - Internal Medicine
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