What are the different types of HIV testing?
There are three main types of HIV tests: antibody tests, RNA tests, and a combination test that detects both antibodies and viral protein called p24. All tests are designed to detect HIV-1, which is overwhelmingly the most common type of HIV in the United States. The combination test can also detect HIV-2 infections, which are less common in the U.S. No test is perfect; tests may be falsely positive or falsely negative or impossible to interpret (“indeterminate,” see below). Positive test results are reportable in all 50 states and include the patient’s name. This information is then reported to the CDC (without names) so that they can track the rates of infection. The names sent to the state remain confidential and will not be reported to employers, family members, or other such people. Some states allow anonymous testing in which the patient’s name is not recorded. HIV antibody tests: HIV possesses many unique proteins on its surface and inside the virus itself. When someone is infec
