H3 Viral Marker Profile Test (HIV, HbsAg, HCV) in Mankhurd

• The only way to make a HIV diagnosis is through blood tests. Delayed treatment means that the immune system is compromised and weakened up to a point of no return. The body loses its ability to fight infections and is susceptible to even fungi infections.
• Antiretroviral therapy usually includes supressing the amount of HIV virus, thereby reducing the replication and further progression of the disease. That is why is it is important for people at high risk to get tested.

This test is used in patients who are diagnosed with Human Immuno Deficiency Virus. The test is used at the beginning of treatment, 2 to 8 weeks after therapy initiation or change in therapy. Thereafter it is used every 4 weeks until the viral load is undetectable. Further every 2-4 months when therapy is stable and virus remains supressed.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The HIV Viral Load test measures the of HIV genetic material, i.e., RNA in the blood. When infected with HIV, the virus replicates by targeting CD4 cells. The HIV virus uses these CD4 cells to replicate and spread all through the body. CD4 cells are basically a kind of white blood cells and this method of replication usually causes the immune system to be compromised in HIV positive people. Early stage infection does not usually have any symptoms or may be mild flu like symptoms though the virus continues to replicate in the patient. HIV kills CD4 cells, so the number of CD4 cells will decrease as HIV infection progresses eventually compromising the immune system pf the patient making the patient susceptible to opportunistic diseases and leading to death.