What Is HIV?

HIV is a virus. Viruses such as HIV cannot grow or reproduce on their own, they need to infect the cells of a living organism in order to replicate (make new copies of themselves). The human immune system usually finds and kills viruses fairly quickly, but HIV attacks the immune system itself - the very thing that would normally get rid of a virus.

With around 2.5 million people becoming infected with HIV in 2011, there are now an estimated 34 million people around the world who are living with HIV, including millions who have developed AIDS.

HIV Virus

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in the U.S. the estimated number of people with HIV/AIDS is about 1,185,000 with approximately 25% of them unaware of their infection. A person gets HIV when an infected person's body fluids (blood, semen, fluids from the vagina or breast milk) enter his or her bloodstream. The virus can enter the blood through linings in the mouth, anus, vagina, penis or through broken skin.

The only way to know if you have HIV is to take an HIV test. Most tests looks for signs of HIV in your blood. A small sample of blood is taken from your arm. The blood is sent to a lab and tested for HIV.

This illness, known as primary or acute HIV infection, may last for a few weeks. Possible signs and symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches and joint pain
  • Rash
  • Sore throat
  • Swollen lymph glands, mainly on the neck
  • Although the symptoms of primary HIV infection may be mild enough to go unnoticed, the amount of virus in the bloodstream (viral load) is particularly high at this time. As a result, HIV infection spreads more efficiently during primary infection than during the next stage of infection..

    Our Tests

    We only utilize the best possible tests for your individual situation. if you are planning on testing timeframe is of the utmost importance. Please contact on of our trained counselors for more information on timeframes and test quality.

    HIV Antibody Test

    This 4TH Generation HIV Antigen/Antibody Combo Assay is intended to be used as an aid in the diagnosis of HIV 1/2 infection. Including acute or primary HIV-1 infection

    The etiological agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has been recognized as a retrovirus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1). The virus is believed to be transmitted by sexual contact, blood transfusion, feto-maternal transmission, breast feeding and intravenous drug abuse. The presence of circulating antibodies to the virus indicates prior exposure of the individual to viral antigen(s).

    The presence of antibody to HIV is not in itself diagnostic of AIDS. Likewise, a non-reactive test result does not exclude the possibility of exposure to or infection with HIV. Specimens that screen positive and are repeatedly reactive are confirmed with confirmatory testing.

    HIV RNA by PCR Test

    Early Detection HIV RNA Test

    Our Early Detection HIV Screening will give you peace of mind at a very early stage of possible infection. If you have had a recent encounter, call on of our trained counselors to discuss testing options.

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    Its Very Easy To Get An HIV Test! Call Now (800) 805-3602