HIV

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV will sooner or later lead to the disease called AIDS. If you have HIV it is hard for you to fight off sickness. Usually people with HIV or AIDS die. HIV and AIDS can be passed on by blood or anything that has to do with open cuts or stuff along that line.

Doctors

A pediatric infectious disease specialist helps treat HIV.

Tests and Diagnosis

Some tests to see if you have HIV are the ELISA, Westen blot test, rapid tests and home tests.

ELIZA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay)

• looks for antibodies to virus in blood samples
• if the first test is positive, the same test is repeated
• if the repeated test is poitive, the person will have another blood test (Wester blot test)

Wester blot test

• checks for presence of HIV proteins
• Its important because the person may not have non-HIV antibodies, which would call a false positive result on the ELISA test

Combining the the two types of tests help ensure results were accurate.

• Pepeole recive a diagnosis of HIV only if all three tests were positive

Rapid Tests

• give highly accurate information within as little as 20 minutes
• look for antiebodies to the virus using samples of blood or fluids that were collected (sample collected on treated pad, which was rubbed on the upper and lower gums)

Risk Factors

Anyone of any age, race, or gender can be diagnosed with HIV. You're at greatest risk of HIV/AIDS if you:

• Have fewer copies of a gene called CCL3L1 that helps fight HIV infections.