Human Immunodeficiency Virus Ribonucleic Acid Testing, also known as HIV RNA testing is a type of HIV testing aimed at the early detection of HIV in a person. It is a recent type of testing compared to other existing HIV screening or testing. To know more about the HIV RNA test, check out the information listed below:
HIV RNA test is an early detection testing the presence of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in a person’s body. Unlike other testings that check the presence of antibodies for HIV in the sample, HIV RNA testing checks for the actual presence of HIV by looking for HIV ribonucleic acid (RNA) in the blood sample.
This HIV RNA is present in the bloodstream of a person as soon as they are infected with HIV and it begins to destroy the CD4 cells of the immune system.
The term “early detection” means that the presence of HIV can be accurately detected within 9-11 days after contracting the virus - this is the shortest testing window in comparison to other HIV testings available.
HIV is a virus that stores its genetic information in an RNA instead of DNA. This genetic information or material does not develop up slowly unlike antigens and antibodies but it is already present in your body as soon as the contraction of HIV and the viral load of the virus is usually high enough in such a way that it is detectable within 9 to 11 days.
Below are the steps on how to get tested:
HIV RNA Testing is conducted via Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). PCR is a scientifically accepted method of studying genetic information from the specimen, usually a blood sample. This blood sample contains deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) which are molecules that contain specific genetic information. The DNA and RNA in the sample are amplified by duplicating it billion times until it is large enough to have its genetic information studied in detail. Among the billions of DNA and RNA, it is checked if there is any presence of HIV RNA. HIV RNA only exists in the bloodstream of a person if they have been infected with HIV. If HIV RNA is detected in the sample, it means that the person has HIV.
No. HIV RNA test does not: do the following:
To put it simply, HIV RNA testing simply checks for the RNA of HIV within the specimen. However, these tests can be conducted as confirmatory tests if the HIV RNA tests yield results that the subject is HIV-positive.
Below is a comparison of all the current HIV testings.
Testing | Testing Process | Testing Window Period | Accuracy | Pricing |
Standard HIV-1/HIV2 Test | Checks antibodies for HIV | 3 months after contraction of HIV | Up to 99.9% | $79 |
P24 Antigen Test (4th Generation Test) | Checks for P24 antigens and | 3-12 weeks after the contraction of HIV | 99.9% | $70 |
HIV RNA Test | Checks HIV RNA | 9-11 days after the contraction of HIV | 95 to 99% | $169 |
Although there is no standard confirmatory test for each testing, most HIV testings that yield a positive result are followed through with a confirmatory test. The results of HIV RNA testing are thoroughly reviewed by:
The most accurate confirmatory test is the Western Blot Test, which is commonly used after the standard HIV screening test. During the Western Blot Test, the blood proteins and HIV antibodies which are protein too are separated and look for specific antibodies for HIV. Having this type of confirmatory test makes the accuracy of the diagnosis up to 99.99%.
HIV RNA test uses the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a widely accepted scientific method of testing. If done in the proper testing window period, its accuracy is up to 99.89%. The longer you wait from the date of contraction of HIV, the more accurate the testings would be but earlier treatment should also be prioritized.
As with other testings, you should check for HIV screening as soon as you suspect yourself from being infected with HIV. There are three factors you should consider:
The detection of HIV from a person within two weeks after being infected is a significant milestone in the scientific community as well as the HIV-positive population. There are many advantages to early detection of HIV such as:
HIV does not present symptoms in all cases. For some people who have been infected with it, symptoms are asymptomatic and usually appear as flu-like symptoms. This causes people to disregard such symptoms as anything serious and so the virus continuously damages the immune system by killing CD4 cells and leads to the progression of HIV to AIDS. Below are some important factors why early detection is important:
Testing and its results are considered private and sensitive information so all of it is done under confidentiality. Only the patient or an authorized person will be able to see what tests were taken and its results.
No. HIV tests do not require a doctor’s referral as it can be voluntary and can be done in many healthcare facilities - this also saves paying for the doctor’s consultation fee.
Yes. Results can be viewed online by logging into a secure platform and viewing the details of your test results.
The significant difference for HIV RNA testing with other tests is that it is aimed at the early detection of HIV in a person. With HIV RNA test, HIV can be diagnosed 2 weeks to 2.5 months earlier compared to other tests and this time can make a significant difference in terms of the effectivity of treatment and prevention of the spread of the virus to other people. The advantages and importance of early detection definitely outweigh the price of HIV RNA test.
Additionally, note that the process of HIV RNA testing is intense and time-laboring compared to other tests.
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