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How to Get Yourself Tested for HIV

how to get tested for HIV

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus, is an infection that is one of the leading sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The name HIV instantly strikes fear in any person’s heart and mind. Naturally, the cause of this terrifying experience is because of the stigma attached to the term sexually transmitted diseases or infections.

Over the years, fear has been dispelled into our society. And it also distances people from getting the right STD testing done at the right moment that will help them take the right measures against it.

HIV testing or screening is one way to find out about the infection and cure it with the medication and treatments that doctors or general physicians recommend. For this, several types of tests have been administered to the person’s blood to detect the presence of human immunodeficiency virus presence in the body. Generally, the development of antibodies in a person’s body takes time. This is where getting the right STD testing for HIV detection helps you identify the presence in your body so that you can take preventive measures and ensure a timely treatment efficiently.

Death doesn’t occur because of HIV alone, and the patient needs to maintain a proper plan that their doctor recommends so that they can maintain their proper health and well-being without a doubt. However, early diagnosis of HIV is critical as it helps you take timely treatments.

Types of HIV Testing

Early diagnosis of HIV is vital as it allows you to take the right measures at the right time. It is also important to note that the results of the HIV testing vary depending on the test you take. Moreover, getting a positive result doesn’t happen soon after exposure; it takes time. HIV testing is recommended to be taken in the mentioned categories;

Antibody Tests: Antibodies reacting to HIV are found with this sort of test. When an infection is present, the immune system makes antibodies, and blood or oral fluid samples are taken. Within 23 to 90 days following exposure, testing using antibodies can diagnose HIV infection.

Antigen Tests: In an antigen/antibody test, the antigen known as p24 is screened for in addition to the antibody. When HIV has been ingested, this antigen is generated. The vein is used to collect blood samples for this test, and HIV infection is discovered 18 to 45 days after exposure.

Nucleic Acid Tests (NAT): Nucleic acid test checks for HIV 10 to 33 days after infection. As opposed to antibodies to the virus, they look for evidence of the virus itself. This might also be referred to as an HIV RNA or viral load test. Blood drawn from a vein is used. If you don’t have symptoms and the doctor doesn’t think you have a recent infection, you generally won’t have this pricey test. Its most frequently used to monitor how patients who already have HIV react to the medication.

Standard HIV Blood Test: The standard HIV blood test is done by Alpha Medical Lab’s trained nurses by taking blood from your vein. This is a test that is done to determine the antibodies around 23 to 90 days after infection. The antibodies checked in this test are the proteins that your immune system makes when a person has been exposed to the virus.

Benefits of Getting Yourself Tested for HIV

Whether you feel the symptoms or yourself at higher risk, getting yourself tested for HIV is important at least once. Moreover, if you have unprotected sex, are breastfeeding, are involved in blood transfusion, and also share injecting devices, getting an HIV test becomes a requisite. In addition to this, there are some fruitful reasons why you should take an HIV test;

  • Getting yourself tested for human immunodeficiency virus reduces HIV-associated morbidity and mortality.
  • You will eventually not become a reason for the transmission of this disease to others.
  • You never know if you are infected with this virus, that later becomes dangerous.
  • If you feel exposed to a high-risk setting of the HIV virus, early detection will let you make wise decisions before it is too late.
  • You can also learn whether your partner is at a potential risk of HIV transferring to you.
  • If they come positive, the test results will let you start treatment after diagnosis sooner so that you remain healthy for the years to come.
  • It may also reduce the severity and risk of serious non-AIDS-related diseases and life-threatening illnesses.
  • Another benefit is that you can start life-saving treatment immediately, and this leads to a better outcome and excellent care.
  • It also reduces the chance of stopping the transmission of HIV into babies. Thus the baby born is HIV-free.
  • Getting HIV tested from the Alpha Medical Laboratory in Dubai ensures that your test details and identity remain confidential and privacy-protected. So that you can have peace of mind while ensuring healthier life.

Getting the HIV Test Results

The part of getting an HIV test is terrifying for patients, from sample collection to the lab testing process and finally getting the test results. You can also opt for at home sample collection, where a team will adhere to your confidentiality and privacy while remaining professional for sample collection.

When determining whether to get tested for HIV, the privacy of the procedure and the results is frequently a crucial consideration. The controversies surrounding the illness continue to influence how people see HIV.

Nevertheless, this requirement was acknowledged by medical facilities and healthcare providers. Therefore, individuals can choose between confidential testing and anonymous testing.

The Final Words

Getting an HIV test is essential, but a lot of people refrain from taking it, considering the stigma attached to it in society. This is how tens of thousands of people compromise their health and well-being. However, when you book an appointment with Alpha Medical Laboratory in Dubai, we ensure that your test process, including sample collection, testing, and report sharing, remains 100% confidential and private for your utmost satisfaction. This is how you can stay updated on your health and ensure your well-being.
CategoriesSTD

A Brief Guide to Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Sexually Transmitted Diseases or Infections – STDs/ STI’s are infections which are transmitted through sexual activities or unprotected sex with sexually active individuals . Often at times, these infections are not lethal and do not harm or show immediate signs or symptoms , however they can aggravate if left untreated and turn into elaborate illnesses.

For many people, it brings a traumatic or taxing experience as sharing it with their physician is hesitative and strenuous for people. Often, this is a result of the stigma attached to it. However, it is paramount for people to know that conducting sexual activity is not the sole reason for sexually transmitted diseases or infections. Even using instruments such as needles that have been used on the infected blood can become a transition factor.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 1 million individuals are detected with STI transmission daily, most of whom are asymptomatic. In addition to this, every year, 374 million people are subjected to STIs in their bodies. And the entire affected ratio isn’t because of sexual activity but rather with the abuse of drugs and sharing of septic drug needles, or a mother may infect her child while pregnant, during childbirth, or nursing.

There is a misconception that must be cleared in the first place. But to be clear, STDs are not spread through normal contact, and shaking hands, sharing garments, or sharing a toilet, for example, would not evolve STDs.

Essential Things to Know About STDs

In this article, we have evaluated the critical information to provide you with awareness about STDs or STIs. The types of STDs exist in a person and the explanation of STDs. If you have had physical contact with someone and feel the symptoms of STDs, this piece will acknowledge taking the necessary steps and sway you to undergo an STD test for your benefit and information before it is too late.

What are STDs?
Sexually transmitted diseases or infections (STDs or STIs) are exceedingly widespread. Every year, millions of illnesses are discovered worldwide. Sexual contact between two people might spread STDs to them. Intimate physical contact, such as frequent petting, can also spread them, though this is less common.

It’s possible that minor symptoms are all an STD would ever produce. So it’s likely to have an infection and not even be aware of it. Therefore, if you have sexual activity, getting an STD test is crucial. Be aware that almost all STDs are treatable with medication such as antibiotics, and some are completely curable if you are diagnosed with one. If you engage in sexual activity, be aware of how to prevent STDs for both you and your partners. So, you must be mindful of the different types of STDs, which are as follows.

Some Most Common Types of STDs or STIs

Here, we have the objective to teach our audience the best information that benefits making earlier assessments. It is crucial to have knowhow about the common sexually transmitted diseases or infections and ponder the noticeable indications so that you can determine and take a lab test for STDs at the correct stage. With this being said, here are some of the STDs:

1. HIV/AIDS
Human immunodeficiency virus is referred to as HIV. It compromises your immune system by obliterating a specific type of white blood cell that aids infection resistance. You run the danger of contracting serious infections and some malignancies. AIDS, on the other hand, is short for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It is the last stage of HIV infection. It occurs when a virus causes significant immune system harm in the body. HIV infection does not always derive from AIDS.

2. Gonorrhea
A sexually transmitted disease called gonorrhea is usually found in young adults. The genital tract becomes infected by the germs that cause gonorrhea. Having sex with a partner who is infected can cause gonorrhea. During labor, a pregnant woman can transfer it to her unborn child.

Not all cases of gonorrhea result in symptoms, and Gonorrhea in men can result in discharge and painful urination. If left untreated, it may result in genital and prostate issues.

Early gonorrhea symptoms in women are typically not severe. Eventually, it may result in increased discharge, pain during urination, and bleeding between periods. It can result in pelvic inflammatory disease, which affects pregnancy and infertility if left untreated.

3. Syphilis
Bacteria cause the sexually transmitted disease syphilis, affecting both men’s and women’s genitalia, lips, mouths, and genital area. Syphilis is typically spread through sexual contact with an infected person, and during pregnancy, it can also be passed from mother to fetus.

Typically, a single, tiny, painless sore appears during the initial stages of syphilis. In some cases, it causes the lymph nodes surrounding to enlarge. Syphilis frequently results in non-itchy skin disease, usually on the hands and feet, if it is not treated. Many people go years without noticing any symptoms, and symptoms can disappear and reappear.

4. Hepatitis A, B, & C
One of the numbers of viruses that target the liver is hepatitis A. Hepatitis A, B, and C can be spread through unprotected sexual contact, infected blood, fluids involved during sexual activity, and sexual intercourse. Medication and the beginning of treatment become necessary for the person because continuing without knowledge of the condition would weaken them internally.

5. Genital Warts
The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes genital warts, a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Warts typically show as a little lump or cluster of bumps in the genital area, and they are pink colored and can be flat or lumpy. Some genital warts are so small that they cannot be seen. Warts in women typically appear in or around the genitals, on the genital tract, or around the abdomen. Genital warts are less prevalent in men.

6. Herpes 1 & 2
Herpes is a benign virus that is classified as HSV-1 and HSV-2. The infection of herpes affects the individual by generating infected sores or blisters; body contact, such as sexual intercourse, enhances the likelihood of getting herpes. If you detect any symptoms, such as sores or blisters around the genital or rectum, you should take an STD test.

7. Chlamydia
Chlamydia has no symptoms, meaning that most people with this illness are unaware of it. According to medical science, it is transmitted by sexual contact without protection or by utilizing things for pleasure that contain infected particles

How Does Alpha Medical Laboratory Offer STD Testing?

The STD test in Dubai is a process in which our professional nurses and medical staff will travel to your desired location to collect a sample. You can also visit our laboratory for the sample collection process. Our team will follow the Dubai Health Authority’s guidelines to ensure accuracy and efficiency. Here is a sneak peek into our STD test process;

  • The first step comes where our DHA-licensed and experienced staff will collect the sample of urine or blood and safely handle them to the testing facility – if you take at-home sample collection.
  • Our healthcare providers will do a cheek swab by rubbing a soft swab inside your mouth, and this is a process where we singularly check for HIV.
  • Our doctor may request a fluid sample from any sore for STD testing
  • Our quick and discreet services keep you mentally calm and focused.
  • We will always respect and take care of your privacy and confidentiality.
  • We strive for 100% accuracy in our results, so you know when to begin your treatment for well-being and happiness.
  • To ensure that high-quality protocols are met efficiently, our nurses and healthcare experts have a decade of experience and are DHA-licensed.
  • We provide results within 24 hours.

Not to Worry - The Final Words

STDs can be avoided by taking the necessary precautions. The information provided above may be helpful to you. In contrast, we suggest that proper use of latex protections minimizes transmission. However, it is vital to note that it does not eliminate the risk of contracting or spreading STDs.

Furthermore, polyurethane protection can be used if you or your mate are allergic to latex. Avoiding inappropriate sexual intercourse is the most surefire strategy to prevent infection. If you have had sex, you should feel free to take an STD test to ensure your and your partner’s safety.

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