Final answer:
An applicant for life insurance must be informed about HIV testing as it helps the insurance company determine their risk profile. HIV affects life expectancy and the cost of healthcare, which is crucial in determining insurance premiums and eligibility. Serological and nucleic acid tests are used to detect HIV.
Step-by-step explanation:
An applicant for life insurance must be informed that testing for HIV infection is used to help determine the level of risk associated with providing insurance coverage. Since HIV can progress to AIDS, which is diagnosed when the helper T cell count falls significantly, or when opportunistic diseases arise, it is a critical factor in determining life insurance eligibility and premium costs. Insurers need to assess the risk of insuring individuals, and information about an applicant's HIV status is an integral part of this risk assessment process.
It's worth noting that someone purchasing insurance or life insurance is likely to have more intimate knowledge of their own health history than what an insurer might be able to find out through investigations. Therefore, tests such as serological tests for antibodies and/or HIV antigens, and nucleic acid tests (NAT) for the presence of the virus, are used to give a more accurate risk profile for the individual seeking insurance coverage.