The difference between HIV negative and positive

Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
Updated on September 13, 2024
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A negative or positive HIV antibody test indicates whether or not a person has been infected with the HIV virus. A negative result, denoted by "−", means that the person has not been infected with HIV, while a positive result, indicated by "+", means that the person has been infected. However, if this result comes from an initial screening test, a positive screening requires further confirmatory testing. Only if the confirmatory test is positive can it be definitively confirmed that the person has been infected with HIV. If the confirmatory test is negative, but the individual has engaged in high-risk sexual behavior, it is recommended to undergo another screening test after three months. If this test is also negative, HIV infection can be ruled out.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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Does AIDS cause itching?

People with AIDS experience itching because pruritus is one of the most common symptoms in AIDS patients. It can occur relatively early in the disease. This type of itching occurs without primary skin rashes and is so severe that it is unbearable. In severe cases, there may be a tendency towards suicide. Therefore, in treatment, we use antihistamines with sedative effects. Oral administration is combined with the external application of moisturizing and anti-itch medications. When necessary, ultraviolet light exposure can be used, or it can be combined with other methods.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
47sec home-news-image

The difference between HIV negative and positive

A negative or positive HIV antibody test indicates whether or not a person has been infected with the HIV virus. A negative result, denoted by "−", means that the person has not been infected with HIV, while a positive result, indicated by "+", means that the person has been infected. However, if this result comes from an initial screening test, a positive screening requires further confirmatory testing. Only if the confirmatory test is positive can it be definitively confirmed that the person has been infected with HIV. If the confirmatory test is negative, but the individual has engaged in high-risk sexual behavior, it is recommended to undergo another screening test after three months. If this test is also negative, HIV infection can be ruled out.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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Can AIDS be ruled out after six weeks?

Going to the hospital for HIV screening after six weeks is entirely feasible, as it typically surpasses the window period. However, if you have engaged in high-risk behaviors, we recommend that you get tested again after three months. If there are frequent high-risk behaviors, we advise you to undergo another test at six months to thoroughly rule out HIV.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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Watery stools in early stage of AIDS

The appearance of watery stools does not necessarily indicate the early stages of AIDS. It could be viral gastroenteritis or food intolerance. It is not feasible to diagnose AIDS based solely on the symptom of watery stools, as AIDS symptoms are not very typical or specific. To rule out or confirm an AIDS infection, one can undergo HIV antibody or nucleic acid testing. In the early stages of AIDS, HIV nucleic acid testing is often able to detect the infection.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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What are the body fluid transmissions of AIDS?

Actually, it is quite difficult for the HIV virus to be transmitted through bodily fluids because the HIV virus mainly exists in the blood, semen, vaginal secretions, cervical mucus, breast milk, as well as amniotic fluid, ascites, and pleural effusion of those infected with HIV. Other body fluids, such as sweat, urine, tears, and feces, generally do not contain the virus or contain it in extremely minute amounts, and are unlikely to facilitate transmission. AIDS is primarily transmitted through sexual contact, blood transmission, and from mother to child, and is not transmitted through ordinary contact.