What it means
Most labs now use a combined test that finds both antibodies to HIV and a piece of the virus itself (the p24 antigen), which shows infection sooner than an antibody-only test. A reactive screening result is checked with a second, different test before HIV is diagnosed. There is a "window period" of a few weeks after infection when a test can still be negative. The CDC advises testing everyone aged 13 to 64 at least once, and every pregnancy.
For the nurse
Results are confidential. Explain what the test looks for, and that a negative result soon after an exposure may need to be repeated. A client with a recent exposure may need postexposurePOST-ek-SPOE-zherHappening after a person has been exposed to an infection, poison or other hazard.post- afterexposure coming in contactFull entry medication started within 72 hours, before results are back.
At a glance
| Normal range | Negative (nonreactive) |
|---|---|
| Also written | HIV antibody test, HIV screening |
Related terms
sexually transmitted infection
An infection passed from one person to another mainly through sexual contact.
immunodeficiency
A state in which the immune system is weaker than normal and cannot fight infection well.
postexposure
Happening after a person has been exposed to an infection, poison or other hazard.