HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks and breaks down the human body’s immune system over time. The immune system is the body’s internal defense mechanism. It’s main function is to fight off infections and disease. As time goes on,HIV causes the immune system to become more and more weak, which in turn causes the body to lose it’s ability to fight off illness. This may lead to serious, often life-threatening, infections and cancers.HIV can eventually lead to AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), which is the condition that people have if they develop a serious infection or disease connected with HIV.

What are Symptoms?

Most people who are infected with HIV do not notice symptoms for many years. An infected individual may experience flu-like symptoms shortly after transmission of the virus. These are considered acute symptoms. Other symptoms may include the following:

Rapid unexplained weight loss
Dry cough
Chronic headache
Diarrhea that lasts more than a week
Chronic yeast infections or thrush (yeast infection of the mouth)
Recurring fever and/or night sweats
Muscle and joint pain
Sore throat
Extreme and unexplained fatigue
Swollen lymph glands in the armpits, groin or neck
Unexplained body rashes
White spots or unusual blemishes on the tongue, in the mouth or in the throat
Appearance of purplish blotches (lesions) on the skin or inside mouth

Testing for HIV

The only way to know if you are infected is to be tested for HIV infection. If you are experiencing any of the above mentioned symptoms, call now to set up an HIV test.

HIV ELISA Test
The test most commonly used to diagnose HIV infection is the ELISA (enzyme-linked immunoassay). The ELISA test is one that detects HIV antibodies.
Antibodies are small proteins made by your immune system to help your body fight a new infection. HIV antibodies are present in the blood and in lower concentrations in other body fluids such as saliva, sweat, semen and vaginal fluid. The ELISA antibody test is the most commonly used test for HIV detection.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
This test finds the genetic material of HIV. The PCR test may be done in the days or weeks after exposure to the virus. Genetic material may be found even if other tests are negative for the virus. The PCR test is very useful to find a recent infection and to determine if an HIV infection is present when antibody test results are uncertain.

Frequently Asked Questions About HIV.

For more information or to set up your confidential HIV testing
and/or STD Testing, call now.

(888) 249-6716