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NABL & ICMRAccreditedThe human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) impairs the functioning of the immune system. It hinders the body’s ability to fight infections including tuberculosis and certain cancers. The HIV test is a blood test that detects presence of the HIV. HIV is primarily transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected individual, most commonly through unprotected sex or shared needles.
Untreated HIV can advance to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a severe stage characterized by a significantly weak immune system. This stage exposes individuals to opportunistic infections—microbes that are harmless to healthy people but can be fatal for those with AIDS—and certain atypical cancers.
HIV often does not show any symptoms early on, making testing essential for early diagnosis and treatment. There are two main types of HIV: HIV-1, which is more prevalent and more likely to progress to AIDS, and HIV-2, which is less common and less transmissible. Testing can be part of routine health checks or conducted after suspected exposure.
Early treatment can support the immune system, prevent the development of AIDS, and reduce the chance of spreading HIV. Pregnant women are also tested to lower the risk of transmission to their babies. Regular HIV testing is crucial for effective infection control and enhancing health and quality of life by preventing AIDS. You can opt for the convenience of at-home HIV test in Gurgaon for hassle-free testing.
HIV tests are accurate but cannot immediately identify the virus post-infection due to the window period; this is the interval between exposure to HIV and the point when a test can reliably detect it. The duration of this window period differs with the type of HIV test used.
There are two main categories of HIV tests: antibody tests and antigen/antibody tests.
These tests identify both HIV antigens and antibodies. Antigens, like p24, are viral elements that start to appear in the blood soon after infection and lead to antibody production in the blood. This test can detect HIV earlier than antibody tests, usually within 18 to 45 days after exposure.
These tests find antibodies to HIV-1 and HIV-2 in blood or saliva samples. Antibodies are proteins generated by the immune system to combat HIV, typically taking 23 to 90 days to become detectable. Therefore, these tests are reliable only after this period.
Understanding these test parameters is critical for deciding the optimal time for testing and securing an accurate HIV diagnosis after potential exposure.
Preparing for an HIV test at home requires careful consideration to ensure accurate results and a thorough understanding of the implications. Here are some things to consider:
Prerequisites
Generally, no special preparations are required before your HIV test in Gurgaon. It is important, however, to be aware of the test’s purpose, possible outcomes, and the emotional impact it might have.
Best Time to Get Tested
There is no need to fast, so testing can be done at any time. However, the ideal time to test is at least 2-4 weeks after potential HIV exposure. This timing takes into account the window period.
Who Should Take the Test
Standard medical recommendations suggest everyone aged 13 to 64 be tested for HIV at least once as part of regular healthcare. Minors under 18 need parental or guardian consent. Testing is also advised for pregnant women, especially in the first trimester. Individuals at higher risk of HIV exposure—such as those with multiple sex partners, having unprotected sex, having a sexually transmitted infection like syphilis or gonorrhoea, sharing needles, or having an HIV-positive partner—should undergo regular HIV testing.
Cautions Before Taking the Test
While there are no specific precautions before the test, understanding the type of HIV test you are taking and the window period for accurate results is essential. Consulting a doctor will help you prepare mentally for the test and its possible results.
HIV testing is vital because it is the only way to know your HIV status, ensuring both your health and that of your partner. A positive diagnosis allows for early treatment, which helps maintain a healthy, long life and prevents the virus from spreading. A negative result helps you take steps to remain HIV-free.
Since early-stage HIV often doesn’t show symptoms, testing is sometimes the only way to detect the virus and prevent its spread. HIV testing is recommended for all individuals between the age of 13-64 years once annually.
Frequent testing is suggested for those with higher risk factors. Annual HIV testing is advisable if you:
Are a man who has sex with other men
Share needles for injecting drugs
Have sex with individuals whose HIV status is unknown
Have an HIV-positive sexual partner
Have a sexually transmitted infection, tuberculosis, or hepatitis
Have multiple sexual partners
Homosexual and bisexual men may need testing every 3 to 6 months. Consulting your doctor to discuss your risk factors and testing options is crucial.
For pregnant women, HIV testing should be done during each pregnancy. Early detection and treatment can prevent HIV from being passed to the baby.
HIV test results vary as per the kind of test conducted—whether it’s an antibody test or an antigen/antibody test. None can immediately detect the virus right after infection due to the window period. This window period varies individually and across different tests:
Antibody tests: Capable of detecting HIV between 23 to 90 days post-exposure.
Antigen/antibody tests: Capable of detecting HIV between 18 to 45 days post-exposure.
| Result | Range | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | More than 1.0 | HIV antibodies/ antigens are detected. |
| Follow-up testing is needed for confirmation. A positive result on a follow-up test confirms HIV positive. | ||
| Borderline/Intermediate | More than 0.9 and less than 1.0 | An initial screening test is positive, but the follow-up test is negative. |
| HIV viral load (NAT) test may be needed for further confirmation | ||
| Negative | Less than 0.9 | HIV antibodies/antigens are not detected. |
| If no potential exposure within the test's window period, it is considered negative for HIV infection. If exposure is present, consider retesting. |
A positive diagnosis from these tests necessitates prompt care and treatment at the Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC) to reduce the virus to undetectable levels. Communicate your status to your partners, adhere to regular check-ups, and consider retesting as needed. A negative result may require retesting due to the window period. Remember, your result applies solely to you, not your partner. Testing together can assist both of you in making informed choices.
The HIV Test price is ₹ 900. This price includes the fastest home sample collection within 60 of booking, and the reports are available in 12 hours.
Yes, Orange Health Labs offers HIV test home collection, allowing convenient testing from the comfort of your home. You can book the test from the Orange Health Labs website or app. The blood sample will be collected by an eMedic within 60 minutes of booking.
HIV testing involves detecting HIV antibodies, antigens, or viral RNA in blood or oral fluid to diagnose HIV. Early detection supports immediate treatment initiation and prevents virus transmission.
Listed below are the steps to book any blood test or health checkup on our platform
Search for the Test: Look for the HIV Test in Gurgaon or at home and click on Orange Health’s listing.
Review and Book: Select the test, check the test prerequisites, enter your Address and confirm the booking after picking a suitable time slot for sample collection.
Sample Collection: Our skilled eMedic will arrive within your chosen time slot to collect the sample at your home.
Lab Processing: The collected sample will be sent to and examined at our NABL accredited and ICMR approved labs.
Receive Results: You will receive your reports via email or WhatsApp within 12 hours. They will also be available on our app.
For an HIV test, a normal result is non-reactive, meaning the value is less than 0.90. A reactive result, indicating HIV presence, occurs when the value is 1.00 or higher.
The HIV test sample collection takes only about 5 minutes, and the results will be sent to you by email or WhatsApp within 12 hours of sample collection.
The frequency of undergoing an HIV test at home will be determined by your doctor based on your health assessment.
Parameters evaluated in an HIV test in Gurgaon include HIV antibodies, antigens, or viral RNA in blood or oral fluid, essential for detecting HIV.
Early symptoms of HIV infection can be a flu-like illness such as sore throat, night sweats, fever, rashes, chills, tiredness, and muscle pain, typically appearing 2-4 weeks after exposure. As the immune system weakens, symptoms may progress to mouth ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, cough, and diarrhoea. Without treatment, severe infections or certain cancers may develop.
The stages of HIV infection are categorized as follows
Stage 1 - acute infection, presenting with flu-like symptoms e.g., fever, rash, etc., that can last from days to several weeks
Stage 2 - clinical latency, where no symptoms are evident and the viral load remains very low, often persisting for as long as 10-15 years
Stage 3 - AIDS, characterized by severe immune depletion and symptoms of advanced infections.
The window period for HIV testing refers to the duration between potential exposure and when the virus can be detected with certainty using a test. This time frame varies depending on the test type and can extend from weeks to months.
Without having to visit a laboratory or a testing facility, HIV test in Gurgaon can be available at various locations including DLF Phase 1, DLF Phase 2, DLF Phase 3, DLF Phase 4, DLF Phase 5, Sector 14, Sector 15, Sector 21, Sector 22, Sector 23, Sector 24, Sector 29, Sector 31, Sector 40, Sector 42, Sector 43, Sector 45, Sector 46, Sector 50, Sector 51, Sector 52, Sector 53, Sector 54, Sector 55, and Sector 56.
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