How is AIDS diagnosed?

I serched the internet but couldn't find any direct answers. What are the types of test done?

HIV infection is diagnosed using a series of blood tests to look for a particular set of antibodies. In most countries the first test is called an ELISA or EIA test, and if that shows positive a second test called a Western Blot is performed. If BOTH tests give a positive result then the result is "HIV+". If only one test reacts then it may be necessary to do further tests to be sure one way or the other.

AIDS is the immune system disease caused by HIV infection, usually after several years at least. AIDS is diagnosed when someone is known to have HIV, plus has also developed one of a couple of dozen otherwise rare infections or cancers that indicate serious immune system damage. AIDS can also be diagnosed in the USA if someone has HIV and has a low level (less than 200 per microlitre of blood) of a certain immune system cell called CD4+ lymphocytes

HIV (the virus that can lead to AIDS) is diagnosed by a blood test or oral swab to detect antibodies to the virus. When we have an infection, our bodies produce antibodies to try to fight it. If a person tests positive for antibodies to HIV, blood testing is done to detect the virus itself, and to measure the amount of the virus in the blood.

HIV destroys the immune system by destroying the cells our bodies use to fight infections (T-Cells or CD4 cells). Once a person has been diagnosed with HIV, blood testing is done to measure the number of these cells in the blood. Once the CD4 cell count drops to 200 or below, the person's diagnosis changes from HIV+ to AIDS. With the severe damage to the immune system (low CD4 Count), the person is no longer able to fight off any other infections. At that point, any infection, including colds, flu, or pneumonia, could kill the person, even though those illnesses would be no problem for a person with a relatively healthy immune system.

http://www.ucsfhealth.org/adult/medical_...

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