What is a p24 antigen test?
A p24 antigen test is another type of HIV test. It is mainly used to screen blood supplies but in some places it is used for testing individuals. The p24 antigen is a protein that is part of HIV. During the first few weeks after someone becomes infected with HIV, p24 is produced in excess and can be detected in the blood serum. Because the p24 test can detect HIV infection before the HIV antibody test can, it is used for diagnosing HIV early in the course of infection. It is usually recommended that this test is taken 3-4 weeks after possible exposure to HIV. Some modern tests combine a P-24 antigen test with a standard antibody test, meaning diagnosis during the three month ‘window period’ is more likely.
A p24 antigen test is a type of HIV test. It is primarily used to screen the blood supply but in some places it is used for testing for HIV. The p24 antigen is a protein that is part of the HIV. Early in the infection, it is produced in excess and can be detected in the blood serum by a commercial test. The p24 test can detect HIV infection before the HIV antibody test can and it is recommended you take the test 2-3 weeks after a risk exposure. Therefore, p24 antigen test is used in diagnosing HIV early in the course of infection.
