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What are
rapid HIV tests?
A rapid test for detecting
antibody to HIV is a screening test that produces very quick
results, usually in 5 to 30 minutes. In comparison, results from
the commonly used HIV antibody screening test, the EIA (enzyme
immunoassay), are not available for 1-2 weeks.
Only one rapid HIV test
is currently licensed by the Food and Drug Administration for
use in the United States. The availability of rapid HIV tests
may differ from one place to another. The rapid HIV test is considered
to be just as accurate as the EIA.
Both the rapid test and
the EIA look for the presence of antibodies to HIV. As is true
for all screening tests (including the EIA), a reactive rapid
HIV test result must be confirmed before a diagnosis of infection
can be given.
More
on rapid HIV testing... |
