Diagnostic Testing For HIV

Question 1

Nuclei Acid (RNA) test

Answer 1

Blood only

Directly detects HIV

Question 2

Antigen/ Antibody test

Answer 2

Blood only

Directly detects HIV

Question 3

Antibody test

Answer 3

Blood and Saliva samples

Detects HIV antibodies
Not HIV itself

*longer to get positive results *

Question 4

CD4 + T cell count

Answer 4

Provides marker of immune function

Normal Range from. 800-1200 cells per microliter of blood

Question 5

Viral load

Answer 5

Provides assessment of disease progression

Tells you how well Anti-Retro drugs are working

10,000 copies per microliter of blood - LOW

100,000 copies per microliter of blood - HIGH

Undetectable below levels of 40-75 copies per microliter of blood

Question 6

Resistance Test

Answer 6

Similar to Culture and Sensitivity tests used for determining resistance against antibiotics

Used to determine if patient’ HIV is resistant to antiretroviral therapy (ART)

Question 7

How do we know if a patient is resistant against prescribed ART?

Answer 7

Patient is taking ART as prescribed w/o missing doses

And viral load start ⬆️

Question 8

Decreased WBC
Decreased platelet
Anemia
Altered Liver Function

Answer 8

Labs are affected due to:

Viral

Opportunistic Infection

Anti- Retrivirals