Diagnosis of Acquired Immuno-deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) - Health Conditions

Diagnosis of AIDS

Diagnosis of AIDS

AIDS is detected through a blood test that tests for HIV antibodies. People with HIV antibodies are HIV-positive, which those without the antibodies are HIV-negative. It is thought that the body produces HIV antibodies by the immune system when it becomes infected with HIV and people who have not been infected with HIV should not produce these antibodies.

Antibodies to HIV usually develop within 6 weeks to 12 months after exposure to the virus. Early testing is advised, as that means risky behaviours (unprotected sex, sharing needles) should then be avoided to ensure this disease is not passed onto others.

For people who have been infected with the HIV virus, the most common blood tests that will need to be done on a regular basis are the following:

T-cell count - normal levels are 500-1500 in cubic mm of blood, abnormal levels are less than 200
Viral load count - measures the amount of HIV in the amount of blood being tested to determine how much of the virus is infecting the cells; a low viral count (less than 200 copies of the virus) is excellent, while a high viral count (more than 5,000 copies of the virus) is not so good
Complete blood count - to test the levels of all the different blood cells (red cell, white cells and platelets) to determine how healthy the blood is
Chem-screen test - measures a number of important chemicals produced by your body to help it function properly; while this test won't give much information about HIV or how the immune system is functioning, it can determine if other infections are present or if there are side effects to any drug (or other) treatments

There is no cure for AIDS at present (2010), although there are ways to control and manage this illness before it becomes AIDS.

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Last reviewed: 24 August 2007 || Last updated: 15 March 2009

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