This is a blood or oral fluid test test (there are several similar versions) to look for the presence of antibodies to HIV, human immunodeficiency virus. Probably the best known version is the HIV ELISA test. These tests are very good at detecting HIV but can give a false positive result with certain other conditions (lupus, Lyme disease, and syphilis), so if you have a positive result, your doctor will follow this up with another type of HIV test that is more specific.

This is a screening test for HIV. Over one million Americans are infected with the HIV virus and about 25% are unaware of this. Untreated HIV infection can lead to early death, increased transmissibility, and a number of severe health problems. Also, if you are pregnant, the virus can be transmitted to your unborn baby and treatment can prevent this from occurring.

Depending on which version of the test you get, the specimen will either be blood from a vein, blood from a finger pinprick, or oral fluid obtained by swabbing the gums. Many sites offer HIV testing including hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and doctors’ offices. There is also a home test that requires you prick your finger and put a drop of blood on a test card which is then sent to a laboratory for testing.

If your initial test is negative, it means that you don’t have the antibody to HIV, but you might still have early HIV infection. This period after infection, but before you make antibodies, is called the "window" and may last anywhere from 2-12 weeks. If you and your doctor think you might be in this "window" period, other tests can be done to see if you have HIV. If your test is positive, you will have to get a second test to see if you really have HIV.

• Homosexual men
• Intravenous drug abuser, especially if needles are shared
• Multiple sex partners, especially those paid for sex
• Kaposi’s sarcoma
• Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia
• Presence of other sexually transmitted diseases
• People who handle blood or body fluids in their work
• Hemophiliacs
• People who had blood transfusions before 1985
• People with ear/body piercing or tattoos who had this done without proper cleaning and sterilization precautions
• Infants of mother with HIV
• People with Tuberculosis