Question

A client suspected of having human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has blood drawn for a screening test. What is the first test generally run to see if a client is, indeed, HIV positive?

Answer 1

The first test to check for HIV is a screening test. The most common is an immunoassay that checks for antibodies against the HIV virus. Nowadays, is most recommendable not only to have the immunoassay that detects the antibodies but also to perform and antigen assay for protein p24. This protein enables early detection of HIV in comparison to the immunoassays.