Having HIV and having AIDS are not the same thing. HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, eventually causing a range of illnesses� called opportunistic infections� that result in acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS. You can be infected with HIV and remain healthy for years, but without treatment most people will eventually get sick.

An HIV antibody blood test is commonly used to see whether a person has been exposed to the virus. This test looks for HIV antibodies� special proteins produced by the body to fight HIV. Most HIV antibody tests use the ELISA method of detection, which is 99% accurate; a more-sensitive Western Blot test is used to confirm a positive ELISA test result. Rapid tests re available as a screening measure.  All positive results are checked with a blood test to confirm the results.

A positive test result means that a person has been exposed to HIV; it does not mean that the person has AIDS. If you test positive, you should plan to see a physician familiar with HIV and consider other tests for HIV and treatment options to prevent the onset of AIDS.

A negative test result means a person has not been exposed to the virus or that it is too soon since the time of infection to accurately tell; it takes from two weeks to six months for the body's immune system to start developing antibodies to HIV after a person has been exposed to the virus. A negative test result does not protect a person against possible infection in the future.

Counseling is an important aspect of getting an HIV antibody test. A trained counselor can address fears and help a person prepare for getting the test results.