Which test determines AIDS?

Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
Updated on January 06, 2025
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To confirm AIDS infection, initial screening is conducted for HIV antibodies. If the result is positive, further confirmatory tests must be performed at a disease control center. Only if the confirmatory tests are positive can a diagnosis of AIDS be made. Therefore, confirmatory tests are essential to determine the presence of HIV infection. Once an HIV infection is confirmed, it is crucial to start timely and scientifically sound antiretroviral therapy, as well as to ensure proper rest and maintain good health.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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What are the symptoms of AIDS?

During different stages of HIV infection, there are some varying clinical symptoms. The latency period of HIV, also known as the asymptomatic period, generally has no obvious symptoms, though some individuals may only show enlargement of lymph nodes. During the acute infection stage of HIV, symptoms such as generalized lymph node enlargement, fever, rash, and cough are common. In the late stages of HIV, due to severe deficiencies in immune function, there is a high susceptibility to a variety of opportunistic infections, which can lead to unexplained spontaneous fever, diarrhea, cough, and other symptoms that must be addressed according to the specific circumstances.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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Can tattoos transmit AIDS?

Indeed, tattooing is a risk factor for HIV infection, especially in informal institutions where tattoo equipment may be shared. If the tattooing equipment is not properly sterilized, there is a risk of HIV infection. Tattooing and other forms of needle injuries are also pathways for HIV transmission. However, the most common route of HIV transmission is through sexual transmission, often via unprotected sexual activities. There are also cases of mother-to-child transmission, which should be considered based on specific circumstances.

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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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How long does it take to detect HIV?

Actually, the diagnosis of AIDS is mainly through the testing of AIDS antibodies or AIDS nucleic acids, and the antibody test for AIDS needs to be conducted after the window period. Generally, the window period for AIDS is about four weeks, and the test for AIDS antibodies or AIDS nucleic acids should be conducted after four weeks. If the result is positive, then it can be diagnosed. Further confirmation experiments at the disease control center are needed if the AIDS confirmation test is positive to diagnose AIDS. Once diagnosed with AIDS, treatment against the AIDS virus is required.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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What is the difference between HIV infection and AIDS?

There is a significant difference between HIV infection and AIDS. HIV infection refers to a person being infected with the HIV virus, but not yet reaching the stage of illness. At this time, the body's immune system is generally still normal, there are no other discomforts, and no opportunistic infections have occurred. This refers to HIV infection. AIDS, however, usually denotes the stage of illness onset, commonly featuring some opportunistic infections or opportunistic tumors, with many symptoms appearing. By testing CD4 cells, a diagnosis of AIDS is often made when CD4 cell counts are generally below two hundred.