One in four people living with AIDS in the United States in 2014 was a woman. An estimated 128,778 women have died of AIDS since the beginning of the epidemic in 1981.<\/p>\n
Getting tested is the only way to find out if you have HIV.\u00a0<\/strong>Testing is crucial for early intervention with new antiviral drugs to help people live a long and prosperous life and reduce the risk of passing HIV to future sexual partners.<\/p>\n Together, we can stop the spread of HIV.<\/p>\n According to the\u00a0U.S. Preventive Services Task Force<\/a>, HIV testing is recommended for women:<\/p>\n Because HIV often causes no symptoms, many women have HIV without knowing it. But even if HIV causes no symptoms, it still affects the immune system. The earlier we treat it, the more we can help.<\/p>\n Anyone who might have been exposed to HIV can get tested. But testing right away may not pick up early HIV infection. The first HIV test taken soon after exposure may say that you do not have HIV even if you do. HIV tests look for antibodies, the body\u2019s natural immune response to a foreign invader, that your body may not have developed yet.<\/p>\n If you contract HIV, your body will begin to develop antibodies within three to 12 weeks. The time between being exposed and developing antibodies is called the \u201cwindow period<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n Newer tests can detect HIV earlier by looking for the virus itself instead of the antibodies. By testing for the viral load (the amount of HIV in your blood) and a marker on the virus called p24 antigen. This more costly test is much more sensitive and can detect HIV within ten days of exposure.<\/p>\n Many clinics and doctors\u2019 offices have free or low-cost HIV testing. If you have health insurance, you qualify for free HIV testing under the\u00a0Affordable Care Act<\/a>\u00a0(the health care law).<\/p>\n HIV screening and counseling for women are covered without cost-sharing in most private health insurance plans. Medicaid also covers certain recommended preventive services, including HIV screening for women at higher risk for HIV, without cost-sharing or deductibles.<\/p>\n HIV testing for people with Medicare is usually covered once every twelve months. Pregnant women with Medicaid can get up to three HIV tests for free during pregnancy.<\/p>\n Andy Istock by Getty<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n There are three types of tests:\u00a0nucleic acid tests (NAT), antigen\/antibody tests,\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0antibody tests.\u00a0<\/strong>HIV tests are performed on blood or oral fluid. They may also be performed on urine.<\/p>\n Talk to your health care provider about what type of HIV test is right for you.<\/p>\n No HIV test can detect HIV immediately after infection. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medication may be prescribed to those with high-risk exposures.<\/p>\n The time between when a person may have been exposed to HIV and when a test can tell for sure whether they have the virus is called the\u00a0window period<\/em><\/strong>. The window period varies from person to person and depends on the type of test used to detect HIV.<\/p>\n Thank you to <\/span><\/i>BeingWell<\/span><\/i><\/a> for publishing this article on Medium<\/a>. \u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Article originally published on Medika Life<\/a>.<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Blog Author: Dr. <\/span>Jeff Livingston\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Main Blog Photo By:\u00a0<\/span>Lightfieldstudios Istock by Getty<\/a><\/p>\nWho should get tested for HIV?<\/h4>\n
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When should I get tested for HIV?<\/h4>\n
How can I get free HIV testing?<\/h4>\n
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<\/p>\nThe Three HIV Tests explained<\/h4>\n
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How soon after exposure can a test detect HIV?<\/h4>\n
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