HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Will A Blood Test Help Identify If One Has HIV?

default
Posted on Wed, 2 Mar 2022
Question: i want to take a blood picture test, will this tell me if i HIV or not?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
only tests specific for HIV can identify it

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Only an HIV test can determine if a person definitely has HIV or not.

There are different types of HIV tests, some look for the virus itself or parts of the virus and others may look to antibodies to the HIV virus.

Antibodies are chemicals that form in the body as a reaction to viruses or bacteria etc. For example if a person had chicken pox or measles , when you check their blood, you would find antibodies that have formed for those specific viruses.

Taking a picture of the blood or any other blood tests that it is not an HIV test, will not tell if a person has HIV.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Will A Blood Test Help Identify If One Has HIV?

Brief Answer: only tests specific for HIV can identify it Detailed Answer: Hi, Only an HIV test can determine if a person definitely has HIV or not. There are different types of HIV tests, some look for the virus itself or parts of the virus and others may look to antibodies to the HIV virus. Antibodies are chemicals that form in the body as a reaction to viruses or bacteria etc. For example if a person had chicken pox or measles , when you check their blood, you would find antibodies that have formed for those specific viruses. Taking a picture of the blood or any other blood tests that it is not an HIV test, will not tell if a person has HIV. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions