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 Ye Xi Yong
Infectious Diseases
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How do you get AIDS?

AIDS, also known as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, is primarily caused by the HIV virus. The virus is mainly found in the blood, semen, vaginal secretions, peritoneal fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, and breast milk of people infected with AIDS. It is primarily transmitted through the following three pathways: sexual contact, blood and blood products, and mother-to-child transmission. If one is infected with AIDS, it is mainly through these three routes.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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How long does it take for AIDS to manifest?

After the human body becomes infected with the HIV virus, 50%-70% of people may exhibit symptoms similar to the common cold, such as fever, headache, sore throat, and muscle and joint pain, about two weeks later. There can also be generalized swelling of the lymph nodes, the appearance of maculopapular rashes, and symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Generally, these symptoms will disappear after about a month, and then a symptom-free infection period follows, which can last from 1 to 10 years. Subsequently, the individual enters the AIDS phase. During the AIDS phase, various types of infections erupt, including bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections, and even concurrent malignant tumors, all of which can lead to death.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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Can you get AIDS from oral sex?

Generally speaking, it is possible to contract HIV through oral sex. If the skin and mucous membranes of the areas involved are intact and there are no wounds, then the chance of infection is relatively small. However, if the skin and mucous membranes of the contact areas are damaged or have wounds, then the risk of infection significantly increases.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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What is the late stage CD4 count for AIDS?

Generally speaking, in individuals infected with HIV, if the CD4 count falls below 200, it progresses to the AIDS phase. If the CD4 count falls below 50, it indicates the late stage of AIDS, during which the body's immune function is severely compromised. This makes it easy to contract various opportunistic infections, opportunistic tumors, as well as AIDS-related inflammatory syndrome, wasting syndrome, etc. Once AIDS is definitively diagnosed, it is necessary to start timely and scientifically sound anti-HIV treatments as soon as possible.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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Is AIDS yin or yang?

If HIV is contracted, after the window period, screening through HIV antibody tests or HIV nucleic acid tests will mostly yield positive results. If the HIV antibody test is positive, an HIV infection can be diagnosed. Once an HIV infection is confirmed, systematic and standardized antiretroviral therapy should be initiated. Systematic and standardized antiretroviral therapy can effectively suppress the virus to undetectable levels, eliminate infectiousness, gradually enhance immunity, and allow one to live a normal lifespan.