HIV-DUO p24 Antigen & Antibody to HIV1 &2 Serum

HIV 1 and 2 serum test is done to diagnose patients suspected to be suffering from HIV.
It detects P24 antigen which on an average comes positive after 16 days of exposure to the virus. HIV antibodies can be detected after an average of 25 days post exposure to virus

• The purpose of performing an HIV Duo serum test is to detect the presence of the HIV virus in the blood. If detected, it will help to diagnose a patient suspected of HIV and help them initiate a treatment protocol to fight the disease.
• The test is designed to detect P24 antigen. It is known that P24 returns a positive result after an average of 16 days of exposure to the virus. Also, it is known that HIV antibodies can be detected after 25 days of exposure to the virus, on average. Performing this test will help to diagnose HIV in a patient with a positive result. Hence, they will be able to obtain treatment at the right time.

HIV 1 and 2 serum test detects both antibodies against HIV and P24 antigen of HIV

The blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a  little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.

Non Reactive

HIV 1 and 2 serum test has sensitivity for detection of HIV infection. As per NACO guidelines patient should be tested with most sensitive test first and hence this is the choice of test for most laboratories. If results are reactive patient should be tested by two methods which have either different antigen or different method of detection. In an asymptomatic patient all three test should be reactive to diagnose a patient as HIV reactive.
A negative test could mean that patient has been exposed recently or in not exposed. Test should be repeated after 2 weeks to confirm status in case patient is suspected of exposure to HIV.
HIV RNA PCR can be done to diagnose patients as early as 7 days of exposure

If the test results return positive, then it means that there are traces of HIV in the blood of the patient. Usually, healthcare providers do not diagnose HIV based on a single test. A positive test result does not mean that the patient also has AIDS. It is an advanced stage of the disease.

There is a slight risk of a false-positive result. This means that the result shows that the patient has HIV when in fact, they do not. A negative result means that the patient does not have HIV or has been exposed only recently. Due to this reason, it does not show in the test.

One should get tested for HIV if they are at a high risk of exposure. Anyone who is HIV positive will begin to display detectable levels of antibodies after 3 months of infection. So, if they get tested during the first or second month, it is possible that the result may come back negative.

For every HIV test, there is a different window period. It is described as the time duration for which you need to wait after exposure to the virus before the test result comes back a true positive. It is not possible to understand whether a patient has been just exposed after getting a positive test result.

Getting tested for the virus too soon may yield a false negative result. But at the same time, waiting too long to get tested can make a person miss out on the opportunity to start early treatment. It may cause them to spread the virus unknowingly.

HIV screening test

HIV antigen

Anti-HIV antibody

P24 antigen

HIV 1 and 2 Antibodies