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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing determines whether or not you're infected with HIV, a virus that weakens your immune system and can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
You may think about HIV testing if you've been exposed to blood or had unprotected sex. Or maybe you just want to make sure. Regardless of your reason for getting tested, HIV testing is likely to make you anxious. Knowing what to expect from HIV testing and what types of tests are available can help.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. Revised recommendations for HIV testing of adults, adolescents, and pregnant women in health-care settings. MMWR Recommendations and Reports. 2006;55:14. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5514a1.htm. Accessed Oct. 23, 2009.
- National HIV and STD testing resources: Frequently asked questions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.hivtest.org/faq.cfm. Accessed Oct. 23, 2009.
- Bartlett JG. Serologic tests for the diagnosis of HIV infection. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 21, 2009.
- Hirschel B. Primary HIV infection. In: Cohen J, et al. Infectious Diseases. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: Mosby; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/166639556-2/0/1209/365.html?tocnode=49354966&fromURL=365.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-02407-6..50124-0_3771. Accessed Oct. 23, 2009.
- Fauci AS, et al. Human immunodeficiency virus disease: AIDS and related disorders. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=2904810. Accessed Oct. 26, 2009.
- Vital facts about HIV home test kits. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm048553.htm. Accessed Oct. 21, 2009.
- HIV-1 test how it works. Home Access Health Corporation. http://www.homeaccess.com/HIV_How_Works.asp. Accessed Oct. 21, 2009.
- How HIV tests work. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/testing/resources/qa/tests_work.htm#works. Accessed Nov. 2, 2009.
