Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection has an impact on the body’s natural defense system. The virus attacks the CD4, one of the white blood cells, that have a role in fighting off infection. However, if the virus remains in one’s system for long or the infection is not timely treated, it can ultimately lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which is deadly.
HIV infection continues to be a serious health issue across the globe among people of all ages and sexual orientations. As per WHO, about 38 million are living with HIV. But those who have recently got an HIV attack, often are unaware of their HIV status.
HIV testing helps detect whether a person has acquired the virus that causes AIDS but does not detect AIDS or figure out the onset timing of HIV infection. In today’s time, HIV testing is easier and should not be ignored. CDC recommends HIV testing to be done at least once as a part of routine health check-ups in people aged between 13 to 64 years. Continue reading to learn about the importance of HIV testing and the benefits it provides.
Importance of HIV testing:
- To know HIV status- HIV can stay in a latent state for many years in one’s body, so AIDS symptoms take years to show up. In such cases, early detection of HIV is important. If an HIV test is positive, the patient can be timely treated to ensure happy, healthy, long lives and if negative, the patient can take steps to prevent HIV infection.
- To prevent HIV transmission- HIV infection can unknowingly pass on to healthy people via unprotected sexual contact or sharing of needles. That’s when the affected people are living with HIV in the early phase and are unaware of their HIV status. With testing, HIV spread can be avoided.
- To protect the baby’s health- Pregnant women must get tested for HIV so that they don’t harm their babies and get timely treatment.
- To be timely connected to HIV care- If HIV positive, the doctor can provide required, special care to the patient.
Benefits of HIV testing
There are many perks of getting HIV tested, especially for those who are at high risk of having HIV, whether they get positive or negative test reports. Here are the benefits:
- The HIV status is revealed fast and the testing is nearly all time free.
- If HIV positive, the patient can start antiretroviral therapy at the earliest to live normal, healthy lives.
- Those who know their HIV status can be proactive in protecting their current and future sex partners.
- It gives peace of mind to people who are worried about what their HIV status would be.