HIV test

diagnosis

The determination of the infection is carried out in the case of HIV often before the first symptoms appear. Anyone who has come into contact with potentially contaminated material should be tested for a possible infection as soon as possible.
This is usually done first two weeks after possible infection, as a test carried out too early can mean a negative result despite an existing infection, as the measured components are still too small in the blood can be found. In certain cases, a slightly different test, a so-called PCR, which can deliver a result before this time.

Normally, a Search test in the blood both components of the virus themselves, as well as already educated antibody discovered. If this test is positive, an additional, somewhat more specific test is carried out for confirmation in order to spare the patient a result that was incorrectly rated positive. Only then is the patient considered HIV positive. Subsequently, a thorough physical examination be performed. In addition, the number of T cells and the HI viruses determined in the blood.

Costs at the health department / doctor

There are several ways to get an HIV test. Depending on the reason why such a test should be carried out, the patient decides either for the General practitioner, infectiologist, occupational physician or the health department. An HIV test is no benefits from statutory health insurancei.e. of the Test must be paid for by yourself.

A exception provides the occupational exposure in which an HIV test is taken over by the professional association. HIV exposure, i.e. contact with an HIV patient and a risk of infection, usually occurs in medical professions. If a doctor or nurse pricks a needle that has previously been in contact with a patient, there is not only a risk that the employee may have contracted HIV, but also other infectious diseases.

In this case a immediate blood draw which should show whether the employee has previously suffered from an HIV infection. The second test will take place after a few weeks. This testing can carried out by the occupational physician or health department become. In this case the Costs taken over by the professional association and not billed to the employee.

The Health department also offers the possibility a free HIV test after prior consultation to have carried out. At the Family doctor Depending on the laboratory, an HIV test costs between 11 EUR and 15 EUR.

procedure

Before testing, the Patient informed about the test. As it is imperative that the patient be tested before an HIV test agreement there is previously a Read through the information sheet and sign it by the patient. Then the patient is given a tube Blood drawn. A Antibody testingi.e. It is checked whether the immune system has already produced antibodies in the event of an HIV infection. These then appear in the blood and mark an HIV infection.

The test that evaluated after 2-3 days is then sent back as the performing doctor's office. The Discussion of results with the patient should always in case of a positive test result discussed personally with the patient become. In the event of a negative test, advice can also be given by telephone.

The antibody test does not provide any information about how severe the infection is. Is a Antibody test positivemust be followed by the so-called Viral load determined become. The actual triggering viruses are then detected in the blood. Depending on how many viruses can be detected, the stronger or weaker the acute infection.

Where can I get an HIV test?

You can do an HIV test in principle in every doctor's practice make that also draws blood. Since in the vast majority of cases it is a Personal contribution is not covered by the statutory health insurance, as a rule every doctor who draws blood agrees to perform this service. Mostly, however, HIV tests are carried out by general practitioners, internists, infectiologists or company doctors.

Is the HIV test anonymous?

The HIV test is a anonymized testi.e. it may no connection between the result and the patientfrom which the blood came (only the sending doctor and the laboratory know the name connection to the test result).

Come in positive test result out, i.e. If a patient is infected with HIV, the attending physician will have it Information obligation. He must first have the Inform the patient of the test result and discuss further treatment steps (treatment, referral to specialist colleagues, etc.) with him. Furthermore, an HIV infection is a reportable infectious diseasethat must be reported to the Robert Koch Institute as a new disease. Also this report is made anonymouslywhich means that the patient's name and address will not be disclosed.

Do I need an HIV test if I donate blood?

In the case of a blood donation, a detailed questioning about previous illnesses also an HIV or AIDS disease queried. If an HIV infection is reported, the Do not act as a blood donor. If he has not had an HIV infection in the past and he donates blood, then it will Thoroughly examined blood from each donor. This includes besides hepatitis Infections also die Looking for an HIV infection. Only when all the tests are negative does the donor's blood enter the blood bank and be available for other patients.

HIV rapid test

Several commercial providers sell a rapid HIV test that can detect an HIV infection after just 12 weeks. To carry out the test, three drops of blood are removed from the finger and placed on a test carrier. After about 30 minutes, the result can then be read on the test set. An HIV infection can be excluded if the test is negative and there has been no risk of HIV infection in the last 12 weeks.

If the test reacts, this is to be assessed as a positive result, i.e. an HIV infection has probably occurred. If the rapid test shows a positive result, the patient's blood should be sent to the laboratory for a confirmatory test. The result is then ready after approx. 7 days. There are also rapid tests that can be performed with the patient's saliva. To do this, the patient must rub a cotton swab over the gums to obtain material for the test.

Read more about this topic on our page: HIV rapid test - you should know that!

Can you do a quick test yourself?

In countries such as England or the USA, the rapid HIV test has been on the market for several years and can be obtained from pharmacies. These tests can then also be carried out and read by each individual. In Germany there are no such quick tests for self-implementation. Since the rapid test is a medical product, the common opinion is that this type of diagnostic procedure should be carried out by a doctor.

Further information on this topic can be found at: HIV rapid test - you should know that!

How long is the incubation time until the test is positive?

The quick test is approx. 30 minutes after application the drops of blood show either a positive or negative result. The test covers the previous 12 weeks. This means that if an infection with HIV took place during this time or earlier, the test would be positive. However, an infection that occurred more recently cannot be detected with the rapid test.

Do you have to be sober to get an HIV test?

Unlike other blood tests, in order to have an HIV test or rapid test, you must don't be sober. A meal before the blood draw does not affect or falsify the laboratory results.

Is an HIV test necessary before an operation?

Although it would help ensure the general safety of treating doctors, an HIV test is not mandatory before an operation. If a patient suffers from a hepatitis infection, an HIV test can also be considered before an operation. Before taking an HIV test the patient must give his written consent. An HIV test may not be carried out without the patient being informed about the examination and without his / her signature.

Is a patient obviously in a difficult life situation (e.g. drug addiction or homelessness) a doctor can Pushing for an HIV test before surgeryin order to be able to protect yourself even better during the operation. But here too is that written permission from the patient is urgently required.

Prevention of HIV infection

Although the prognosis for HIV patients is far better today than it has been for decades, it still is lifelong illnesswhich is associated with limitations of the entire life. Hence avoiding further Infections and protection from infection is important.

The most important part of this Prevention is certainly that enlightenment about the disease itself and the sources of the infection. So it's not just the job of the Health policy, but also from parents and doctors about the importance of using Condoms protected Intercourse to teach. HIV Although it is very easy to protect against it, it is mainly still sexually transmitted, which may be due to the fact that fear in society has greatly decreased thanks to medical advances.

Occupational groups at risk, such as doctors, should also be careful when handling sharpen and OR equipment be. So it is important for everyone to be aware of the risk of infection. If, despite all caution, contact with possibly infected material has occurred, there is the possibility of what is known as Post exposure prophylaxis. This is only in the first two days makes sense after contact and consists of a high dosed ART. This can prevent the onset of infection.