The presence of virus antibodies to the HIV can be detected by ELISA or western blot techniques.
A protocol for diagnosis is as follows:
It should be noted that antibodies to HIV may not appear until up to as long as 6 months after infection with HIV; where there is doubt, retest at 3 and 6 months.
It is very important to counsel any patient before the HIV antibody test so that they understand the implications of a positive result.
The patient should be encouraged to think about how they might react to the news.
The implications for life insurance and mortgage applications should be discussed.
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