HIV-2 Infection and AIDS Recent Exposure

LabsMD offers a single test to help diagnose HIV-2 after recent exposure: HIV-2 Proviral DNA by PCR.

HIV 1/2 Antigen and Antibodies, Fourth Generation $55
View Tests Included

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.

What are HIV and AIDS?

HIV is the abbreviation used for the human immunodeficiency virus. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), a life-threatening disease.

How does it occur?

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:

Unprotected sexual activity
Sharing IV needles
Being born to or breast-fed by an HIV-infected mother
Blood transfusions (now rare in the US because of current screening tests)

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of HIV infection and AIDS are usually the symptoms of the diseases that attack the body because of a weakened immune system:

Fever that lasts from a few days to longer than a month
Loss of appetite or weight, especially loss of more than 10% of body weight
Nausea and vomiting
Tiredness
Prolonged swelling of the lymph nodes
Sore throat
Long-lasting or multiple viral skin problems, such as herpes sores or plantar warts
Repeated, severe yeast infections in your mouth or vagina despite treatment
Chronic muscle and joint pain
Diarrhea, especially if it lasts longer than a month
Headache
Enlarged spleen and liver

How is it diagnosed?

There is a new technology for the early detection of HIV after 28 days of exposure called HIV-2 DNA PCR. This new test looks for the DNA copy of the HIV-2 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.

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:

Antiviral medicines, such as zidovudine (also called ZDV or AZT), didanosine (ddI), and lamivudine (3TC), and protease inhibitors
Lab tests every few weeks to see how well your immune system is working, to measure the amount of HIV in your blood, and to screen for infections or other medical problems
Regular dental exams because people who are HIV positive often have mouth problems, including gum disease

How long do the effects last?

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.

How can I take care of myself?

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.

HIV 1/2 Antigen and Antibodies, Fourth Generation $55
View Tests Included