Let’s discuss the diagnosis and Treatment of Aids. HIV antibodies can start to show up four weeks to six months after exposure. Thus tests and screenings for the disease look for these antibodies. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELIA) is the most common HIV test (ELISA). Repeat this test on the same blood sample if the outcome is positive. A second positive result comes from employing a more specialized test. Such as the western blot. The fact that ELISA gives false positive results to persons with parasite infections like malaria is an issue with the test. This is especially problematic in Africa, where AIDS and malaria are widespread diseases.

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Single Use Diagnostic Screening (SUDS) tests offer an alternative to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Which screen for viral RNA and enable identification of the virus after relatively recent exposure, are highly pricey. The bulk of the population who are at risk for disease frequently cannot access them. Pharmaceutical companies are creating new tests that are more affordable, and do not require refrigeration. And they can test a wider range of at-risk populations globally. In the United States, there’s an Oral Quick at-home test, a mouth swab antibody detection method that generates results in 20 to 40 minutes. Its authorized use at home began in 2012.

The test, which was made available for over-the-counter purchase, was over 92% accurate in identifying HIV-negative people. And over 97% accurate in identifying HIV-positive people.

READ MORE: How Does HIV Spread

Diagnosis and Treatment of Aids

Antiretroviral Drugs: There are three kinds of antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV infection.

A: Protease inhibitors, which include Ritonavir, Saquinavir, Indinavir, Nelfinavir, and Lopinavir, block the activity of the HIV protease enzyme.

Abacavir (ABC), Zidovudine (AZT), Zalcitabine (ddc), Didanosine (ddl), Stavudine (d4t), and also Lamivudine are examples of nucleoside reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors (3TC)

C: Efavirenz, Delavirdine, and Nevirapine are non-nucleoside RT inhibitors.