Types of HIV Tests and Preventive Means

HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a type of virus that develops into the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) if not treated on time. The virus of HIV spreads through certain body fluids and attacks the immune system, especially the CD4 cells, making the person prone to other infections or infection-related cancers. There are quite a few types of HIV test formulated by medical science that help in the detection of the disease. However, no effective cure is currently available. The condition can be controlled with proper care and regular medications. 

Types of HIV Tests

For diagnosing this condition, the following types of HIV testing methods are used. 

• CD4 Count Test – The virus of HIV is known to target and kill the CD4 cells. A healthy adult typically has 500 cells per cubic millimetre. When the virus attacks, the count significant drops. A count less than 200 cells per cubic millimetre means a person may have AIDS.
• Viral Load – This is another factor that helps detect HIV. It measures the quantity of HIV virus present in the bloodstream. When the viral load is low, it means a person is likely to spread HIV to other people around. It is also used for mapping the effectiveness of an on-going HIV treatment.
• Drug Resistance – Certain tests are ordered to understand if a patient’s strain of HIV is resistant to certain medicines which are used for the treatment of the disease. This helps in defining the course of one’s treatment.
• Other Related tests – Of these above-mentioned types of HIV tests in India, there are many other tests which may be ordered to monitor the common complications of the disease or side effects of an on-going treatment. These include liver function test, kidney function test, cardiovascular and metabolic change mapping tests, etc. 

Test Results and Preventive Means

The types of HIV test results typically depend upon the condition of the person and the depth of the prevalence of the disease in the body. The results help a physician in knowing how much damage has the disease done to the body and which medications would best suit to curb the effect. Since, there’s no specific cure available for HIV, the best a person can do to prevent the condition of HIV turning into AIDS is to adhere to a doctor’s prescribed medications and take the necessary measures. For the slightest of error in one’s treatment can jeopardize his/her overall condition.