How accurate are the HIV antibody tests?
Current blood and oral fluid tests are over 99% accurate. However, the oral fluid test generally takes longer to detect HIV antibodies after infection than the serum (blood) test. The serum test may detect antibodies as early as three weeks after initial infection. All tests may take up to six months to identify infection in some individuals. What is the window period? This is the period of time from infection with HIV to when a blood/oral fluid test can detect antibodies to HIV. During the window period, a person can transmit the virus to others through sexual or blood-to-blood contact. Both the oral fluids and Stat Pak HIV Antibody test generally take three months to detect the antibodies to HIV. What is the ELISA? The ELISA, the first test performed on the oral fluid or blood sample, mixes laboratory virus, a blood or oral fluid sample and certain chemicals together. If there are antibodies to HIV in the blood, the color of the sample will change. What is the Western Blot? The Weste
