LabsMD offers a single test to help diagnose HIV after recent exposure: HIV-1 Proviral DNA by PCR.
| HIV-1 Proviral DNA by PCR $ | |
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If you have reason to believe you have recently been exposed to someone who is HIV positive, had a recent needle stick, or had some other recent exposure to HIV you could benefit from early testing or treatment. Our trained professionals are standing by, please call 888.952.2763 for further information.
There is a new technology for the early detection of HIV after 28 days of exposure called HIV DNA PCR. This new test looks for the DNA copy of the HIV virus itself in your blood. It is extremely accurate and sensitive. We offer this state of the art DNA HIV PCR test along with the Standard Elisa HIV test as a Combo Package.
Proviral HIV DNA by PCR
The HIV Proviral DNA by PCR is the most sensitive test for detecting infection. While most healthy individuals are accustomed to waiting 3 months for a conclusive result, the HIV Proviral DNA can provide conclusive results after only 28 days.
The DNA PCR is an antigen test, that is, a test that looks directly for the virus. This test is conclusive well before the antibody test because it is not dependant on an antibody response. It is looking for the actual genetic material of HIV, called "proviral DNA." If the specimen contains a particular HIV segment, it will be synthetically amplified (multiplied) so that it's easily detected. If even a small amount of virus is present in the specimen it is easily detected by this test. During acute infection (a few days to weeks after exposure), and before the body creates an immune response, HIV replicates to one of the highest levels throughout the entire illness. During the first two to four weeks, plasma viremia levels can be as high as 1 million copies per milliliter of whole blood.
The DNA PCR only needs 10 copies for detection. Although the manufacturer recommends testing after 28 for conclusive results, a DNA PCR can clearly be used well before that time as a strong indicator. For patients with a high level of anxiety or strong reason to suspect infection, the DNA PCR and other PCR based techniques can be useful even days after exposure, not only to help rule out infection, but also to help support decisions about post exposure prophylaxis therapy.
The DNA by PCR plays an important role in the identification of acute exposure,
and also the implementation of early treatment options. Although the clinical
significance of starting therapy during acute infection is still controversial,
some experts feel identification and treatment can significantly alter the
natural course and severity of the illness. If started early enough after
acute exposure experts hope to extend the time it takes for a person to develop
full blown AIDS and even add years to a person's life.
HIV is the abbreviation used for the human immunodeficiency virus. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), a life-threatening disease.
HIV attacks the body's immune system. The infection-fighting cells of the immune system are called CD4 cells or T-helper cells. Months to years after a person is infected with HIV, the virus destroys the CD4 cells. When the CD4 cells are destroyed, the immune system can no longer defend the body against infections and cancers.
HIV infection becomes AIDS when you lose your ability to fight off serious infections or tumors. Various infections called opportunistic infections develop. They are called opportunistic because they take advantage of the weakened immune system. These infections would not normally cause severe or fatal health problems. However, when you have AIDS, the infections and tumors are serious and can be fatal.
HIV is not spread through the air, in food, or by casual social contact such as shaking hands or hugging. The virus is passed on only when the blood or sexual secretions enter another person's body. It can also be spread to babies by the breast milk of an infected mother. Spread of the virus can occur during such activities as:
The following groups have the highest risk for HIV infection and the development of AIDS:
The symptoms of HIV infection and AIDS are usually the symptoms of the diseases that attack the body because of a weakened immune system:
The serious opportunistic diseases that most often affect someone with AIDS include a type of cancer called Kaposi's sarcoma and these infections: Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), tuberculosis, meningitis, and herpes simplex infections.
There is a new technology for the early detection of HIV after 28 days of exposure called HIV DNA PCR. This new test looks for the DNA copy of the HIV virus itself in your blood. It is extremely accurate and sensitive.
Once you have confirmed positive HIV test results, you must have a thorough medical exam. Your health care provider will ask about your medical history and symptoms and will examine you.
The medical history and physical exam includes discussing your history of sexual practices and sexually transmitted diseases. Your health care provider will also ask about any history of drug abuse.
You will have some lab tests. Comparing the results of the physical exam and these first lab tests with results weeks or months from now can help your health care provider diagnose new symptoms you may have in the future. It can also help your provider know how well your medicines are working.
You will be tested for certain infections, such as tuberculosis (TB), syphilis, and hepatitis B. These infections can worsen rapidly when you have HIV. They also pose a serious risk to others.
HIV-positive women should have a Pap test according to the schedule recommended by their health care provider (usually every 6 to 12 months).
How is it treated?
Your treatment depends on if it is known when you became infected with HIV and whether you have symptoms. Your treatment may include:
Your health care provider will probably recommend starting treatment with antiviral drugs and antipneumonia drugs if you are having symptoms of HIV infection. Even if you are not having symptoms, your provider may recommend starting treatment if:
The CD4 cell count is a good way to know how well the immune system is working. (CD4 cells are a type of white blood cell.) You should have this lab test every 4 to 6 months. When the count begins to decrease, you will need to have the test more often. The viral load test measures the amount of HIV in your blood.
Antiviral medicines can slow the progress of the disease, but they are not a cure. Many new drug treatments and combinations are being prescribed or studied.
Vision problems are often an early sign of opportunistic infection in HIV-positive individuals. Tell your health care provider promptly about any eye symptoms, especially if you keep having blurry vision or a loss of vision.
Getting care in an office or clinic that uses the case management concept of care is perhaps the most important aspect of your treatment. This approach emphasizes team care coordinated by a case manager. The case manager helps you communicate with all who are caring for you. Other advantages include:
The full effects of AIDS may not appear until 5 to 10 years after you are first infected with HIV. Although AIDS is a fatal disease, life expectancy has increased as new treatments are developed.
If you are in a high-risk group but have not tested positively for HIV, see your health care provider regularly. He or she will examine you for signs of HIV-associated infections and will recommend how often your blood should be tested for HIV infection.
If you are HIV positive:
Call or see your health care provider if:
To prevent becoming infected, ask any new sexual partner about his or her sexual history. Be careful to practice safe sex, use latex or polyurethane condoms, and seek HIV testing. Do not share IV needles.
If you are HIV positive, you can help prevent spreading the virus if you:
In addition:
To avoid passing HIV to a baby, women should talk to their health care providers before becoming pregnant.
Antiretroviral drugs may be used to prevent HIV infection if you have been exposed to HIV through sexual intercourse, sexual assault, injection drug use, or an accident. The treatment must be started no more than 72 hours after a high-risk exposure to someone known to be HIV-infected. The treatment lasts 28 days. This preventive treatment is not recommended for people who are often at risk of exposure to HIV, like those who have HIV-infected sex partners and rarely use condoms, or injection drug users who often share equipment.
Researchers are learning more about HIV. As a result, recommended treatments change often. Keeping up with these changes can be difficult and frustrating. Two ways you can seek up-to-date information and care are:
The National AIDS Hotline: 1-800-342-AIDS (1-800-342-2437), 24 hours, 7 days a week
TDD: 1-800-243-7889 (10 a.m. to 10 p.m., EST, Monday through Friday
Spanish National AIDS hotline: 1-800-344-7432, 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., EST, 7 days a week
These hotlines are provided by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
| HIV-1 Proviral DNA by PCR $ | |
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Related Topics: Epididymitis, Genital Herpes, Gonorrhea and Chlamydia, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, HIV-2, STD Testing, STD Testing for Recent Exposure, Syphillis, Urethritis, Vaginitis, Viral Hepatitis.
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