AIDS is chronic and there is no cure for AIDS. AIDS is progressive and fatal too. However, treatment with certain drugs can prevent the development of AIDS due to HIV infection.
What is HIV/AIDS?
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This virus has 2 main types which cause infection in humans and further, several subtypes and strains.
Prolonged and untreated HIV infection can lead to AIDS, which stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
AIDS is chronic and there is no cure for AIDS. AIDS is progressive and fatal too. However, treatment with certain drugs can prevent development of AIDS due to HIV infection.
What are the types of HIV/AIDS?
There are 2 main types of HIV that cause infection in human population:
- HIV 1
- HIV 2
Infection caused by HIV 1 is more widespread throughout the world and accounts for majority of infections, while, HIV 2 infection is mainly restricted to Western Africa.
Genetically, these two viruses are different and hence, their pathophysiologies, extent of infection and transmission mechanisms differ.
HIV 1 is further divided into following groups:
- Group M
- Group N
- Group O
- Group P
HIV 2 is further classified into:
- Group A
- Group B
- Group C
- Group D
- Group E
- Group F
- Group G
- Group H
- Group I
Among HIV 1, Group M is the most prevalent type and in HIV 2, Groups A and D are the most prevalent types.
The progression of HIV-2 is slower as compared to HIV-1.
How is HIV transmitted?
HIV is transmitted through coming in contact with body fluids from an infected person, such as the following:
- Blood
- Semen
- Wound exudates
- Breast milk
- Vaginal secretions
It is unlikely that HIV gets transmitted through droplets from sneezing or coughing.
HIV is not transmitted unless body fluids are exchanged between an infected and an uninfected person. Following are some of the means by which body fluids exchange can occur, resulting in HIV transmission:
- Sexual transmission
- Through blood transfusion from HIV positive person
- Through organ transplantation taken from HIV positive person
- Through medical instrument used for penetrative purpose into skin, such as needles
- From mother to infant- this is called as vertical transmission of HIV. It can take place through placenta (trans-placental transmission). It can also take place at the time of birth, when body fluids are exchanged. HIV transmission can also take place via breast milk.
What are the stages of HIV infection progression?
HIV goes through various stages of progression before it causes AIDS in an infected individual.
The duration of each stage, the severity of symptoms and the speed of progression of virus through each stage depend on individual infected.
Factors such as diet, lifestyle, medical history and general health play a vital role in determining these things.
Following are the 4 stages of HIV infection:
- Stage 1- Infection stage
- Stage 2- Asymptomatic stage
- Stage 3- Symptomatic stage
- Stage 4 – AIDS
What are the symptoms of HIV/AIDS?
Symptoms of HIV infection depend on the stage of infection:
Stage 1- Infection stage
This stage is also called as primary HIV infection. In this stage, the virus takes entry into the body and replicates rapidly.
The symptoms in this stage are acute flu-like symptoms such as the following:
- Fever
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Rashes after some days of infection
- Fatigue
- Muscle pain
- Ulcers
Stage 2- Asymptomatic stage
This stage is also called as Clinical Latency Stage as there are no symptoms in this stage.
The virus in this stage continues to weaken the immune system of the infected individual without producing any symptoms.
HIV attacks CD4 cells and hamper immune responses of the host.
This stage lasts for about 8 years to 10 years on an average.
These people help in transmission of HIV to uninfected people as they are asymptomatic and don’t know that they have HIV infection.
Stage 3- Symptomatic stage
This stage is reached when the immune system is hampered to an extent where symptoms start showing in the individual.
Initially, the symptoms are mild but they worsen with time.
This stage also paves way for opportunistic infections, which worsen the condition. Examples of opportunistic infections: TB, Sarcoma, PCP, etc.
Stage 4 – AIDS
As mentioned earlier, prolonged and untreated HIV infection can lead to AIDS.
People who have AIDS are severely immune-compromised.
The complications arise due this immune-compromised state of the individual, due to which even minor infections become fatal.
What is the price of HIV/AIDS test in Delhi NCR?
The price of HIV/AIDS tests depends on the type of test. Doctors usually use a combination of tests to confirm HIV/AIDS. The price also varies from lab to lab.
Following tests can be employed for diagnosis of HIV infection:
- Rapid test for HIV 1 and HIV 2
- Antibody screening test for HIV 1 and HIV 2
- Western Blot test
- ELISA for HIV 1 and HIV 2
- PCR for HIV (Qualitative)
- RTPCR for HIV viral load (Quantitative)
There are many good options in Delhi NCR for getting tested for HIV/AIDS. The best lab for HIV/AIDS test is Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre.
Following HIV/AIDS test are available at Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre
HIV Rapid Screening test at 220 110 INR
In this test, antibodies against HIV in blood or saliva are detected.
FLAT 50% OFF BOOK NOW!
HIV 1 and HIV 2 Antibody test Western Blot at 3350 1675 INR
In this test, western blot technique is used for detection of antibodies specific for HIV1 and HIV2.
FLAT 50% OFF BOOK NOW!
HIV PCR at 6800 5100 INR
In this test, qualitative presence of HIV RNA is detected in sample through PCR method.
HIV Viral Load test at 5000 2500 INR
In this test, viral load of HIV is estimated using RTPCR technique.
FLAT 50% OFF BOOK NOW!
HIV Screening Package at 22070 11035 INR
This package includes the following tests:
|
CBC |
|
175 |
|
HIV Viral Load |
|
2500 |
|
AIDS HIV 1 and 2 Antibody |
|
300 |
|
HIV 1 & 2 Elisa |
|
400 |
|
HIV PCR |
|
3400 |
|
HIV Rapid Screening |
|
110 |
|
Viral Marker (HIV, HBSAG, HCV) |
|
975 |
|
VDRL RPR, Serum |
|
175 |
|
HIV DNA Qualitative PCR |
|
3000 |
|
Total Price |
|
11035 |
FLAT 50% OFF BOOK NOW!
Why Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre should be your preference for AIDS tests?
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre hold an excellent reputation and expertise in diagnostics and imaging techniques since 2001.
For Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre, patients come first. Hence, the aim of Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre is to provide world’s best technology at the lowest price.
Owing to the great service to its patients, Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre is accredited to NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers), which the highest standard of quality service to patients, and NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories), which shows the competency of the lab and equipment based on some national and international standards.
Pathology testing operates 24 hours- 365 days, hence, ensuring service to the patients round the clock!
Test reports are 100% accurate.
Blood samples are collected in a hassle-free manner.
Report is generated within 24 hours of sample collection.
Test reports are digitally available and can be downloaded from the website.
Free Home Sample Collection service is also available, which brings the lab to the doorstep of the patient. Sample is collected aseptically from the patient’s house, and transported back to the lab for testing.
The rates of AIDS tests at Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre are reasonably priced, improving the affordability of tests for public.
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre also offer a discount of 50% on many tests.
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre is the one-stop solution for getting all kinds of diagnostic tests and imaging done!
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre is empanelled with various prestigious government and private organizations such as:
- ESIC
- CGHS NHA
- NCDC
- NDMC
- DGEHS
- ECHS
- DELHI JAL BOARD
- DAK
- RAILWAYS
- BSES YAMUNA/ RAJDHANI POWER LTD
- SANJAY GANDHI HOSPITAL
- TATA POWER LTD
- BABA SAHEB AMBEDKAR HOSPITAL
- BJRM HOSPITAL
- ICAR
- BHAGWAN MAHAVIR GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL
- MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
For more information regarding panels, click here!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is HIV 1 and HIV 2 test?
After an individual has tested positive for HIV in initial screening, the doctor advises to get tested for HIV 1 and 2, so as to identify the type of HIV virus infecting the individual. Antigen test for HIV 1 virus will show negative result for HIV 2 virus.
What is the test for HIV?
There are multiple tests for confirming presence of HIV infection. Doctors usually use a combination of these tests to confirm the presence of HIV infection:
- Antigen test that detect presence of HIV virus
- Antibody tests that detect presence of specific antibodies against HIV virus
- Nucleic Acid detection techniques
When should I get an AIDS test?
You should get tested for HIV infection if you have come in contact with someone who tested positive for the same.
Your doctor will advise you to get screened for HIV if you have symptoms of AIDS.
