HIV Combo Test

The HIV 1/2/O Rapid Test Device is a lateral flow chromatographic immunoassay for the qualitative detection of antibodies to Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type O (HIV-O), Type 1 (HIV-1) and Type 2 (HIV-2) in human whole blood/serum/plasma. It provides an aid in the diagnosis of infection with HIV-O,HIV-1 and HIV-2.

Discovered in 1983, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a retrovirus and identified as the etiologic agent for the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and AIDS related complex. AIDS is characterized by changes in the population of T-cell lymphocytes that play a key role in the immune defense system. In the infected individual the virus causes a depletion of a subpopulation of T-cells, called T-helper cells, which leaves these patients susceptible to opportunistic infections and certain malignancies. The major routes of transmission are sexual contact, exposure to contaminated blood or blood products (including sharing of contaminated syringes and needles) and mother-to-newborn transmission. Human immunodeficiency virus type O, type I and type II (HIV-O,HIV-1 and HIV-2) are enveloped single strain RNA positive virus. The causative relationship between HIV-O,HIV-1 and HIV-2 virus and AIDS has been established over decades. HIV-1 has been isolated from patients with AIDS and AIDS-related complex, and from healthy individuals with a high risk for developing AIDS. HIV-2 has been isolated from West African AIDS patients and from sero-positive asymptomatic individuals. HIV O is a rare subtype of the HIV-1 virus, primarily prevalent in West Africa. Its genetic sequence differs significantly from the common HIV-1 Group M, which may reduce the sensitivity of certain detection methods. However, treatment drugs remain generally effective.Both HIV-O,HIV-1 and HIV-2 virus can elicit strong immune responses, including the production of anti-virus antibodies. Presence of specific anti HIV-O and/or HIV-1 and/or HIV-2 virus antibody in Whole blood, Serum/Plasma indicates the exposure of an individual to the HIV-O and/or HIV-1 and/or HIV-2 virus, being of great value for clinical diagnosis.

Enzyme Immunoassays (EIAs), Western Blots (WB), Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAT) assays and various other test systems are currently available for detection of HIV-O,HIV- 1 and HIV-2 infection. The HIV 1/2/O Rapid Test Device utilizes immobilized antigens for the detection of antibodies to HIV-O,HIV-1 and HIV-2, and is a point-of-care test to aid in the diagnosis of infection with HIV-O,HIV-1 and HIV-2.

Q: How accurate is the HIV combo test?

A: HIV tests after the 3 month window are more than 99.97% accurate. They work for all types and subtypes of HIV. Very few medical tests have 100% accuracy.

 

 

Q: What does the HIV combination test detect?

A: A type of HIV test that can detect HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies and HIV-1 p24 antigen(a protein that forms the HIV core). Antigen/antibody combination tests can detect HIV earlier than tests that only detect HIV antibodies. The test is done using a blood sample.

Q: What is the HIV combo test?

A: The HIV combo test (often called a 4th-generation test) is a highly accurate screening tool that checks your blood for both HIV antibodies and the p24 antigen.

Q: How long does an HIV combo test take?

A: This includes HIV self-tests used at home or in a private location. The rapid antigen/antibody test, done with blood from a finger stick, takes 30 minutes or less. It may take several days to receive your test results with a NAT or antigen/antibody lab test.

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Q: Is 7 days too early for an HIV test?

A: Yes, 7 days is generally too early for an HIV test. To get an accurate result, you must wait through the "window period"-the time it takes for a test to detect the virus or your body's immune response to it.