National HIV Counseling and Testing Day, HIV Awareness Day
National HIV Counseling and Testing Day
First National HIV Counseling & Testing Day (NHTD) established on June 27, 1995. National HIV Testing Day is organized every year in many countries to encourage people to get tested for HIV. Having an HIV test and health information in this area is not only effective in timely treatment and normal life but also prevents the transmission of this virus (HIV). The theme of this year’s National HIV Testing Day (2021) is “My test, my way”. This slogan emphasizes the diversity of HIV testing methods, especially during the CoVID-19 pandemic. In other words, with the spread of the CoVID-19 and the decrease in referrals to laboratory and medical centers, the field of HIV diagnosis and treatment has become weaker.
This slogan is addressed to people, especially patients who need regular checkups of the virus; He suggests that they do not forget to get tested for HIV, even at home without going out of their way, through services such as in-home sampling services or in any way they wish.
What is HIV?
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus infects and kills the body’s immune cells, which are responsible to fight against infections and diseases, by weakening the body’s immune system. There is still no effective treatment for this disease, but by controlling this disease, the infected person can live a long and healthy life and protect his sexual partner.
The HIV virus was present in the body of an African chimpanzee from the beginning. According to research, the chimpanzee virus (SIV) version was probably first transmitted to humans during hunting and contact with the blood of an infected animal.
Are there any specific symptoms of HIV infection?
2 to 4 weeks after infection, some people will develop flu-like symptoms that may last for days to weeks. The following are some of the symptoms of this infection:
- Ague
- Sweating at night
- Muscle aches
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- Swelling of the lymph nodes
- Wounds in the mouth
Having these symptoms does not mean you are infected with the HIV virus. If you have been exposed to HIV (having unprotected sex, using contaminated syringes or needles, or contact with infected body fluids) or if you suspect these symptoms, National HIV Counseling and Testing Day is a good time to make sure of Your health status. Payvand Clinical and Specialty laboratory provides clients with a variety of HIV-related tests as well as the best services in the field of on-site sampling. Click here for more information on in-home sampling services.
Stages of HIV disease
If a person with HIV is not treated early, the disease will progress in three stages.
Stage 1 or acute HIV infection: In this phase, the viral load (the amount of virus in the patient’s body) is high. Some people experience flu-like symptoms at this stage. In the acute phase, an antigen/antibody test or molecular test to detect the genetic material of the virus in the patient’s blood can detect the virus.
Stage II or Chronic HIV Infection: This stage is also known as asymptomatic infection and the clinical delay stage. At this stage, the virus is still active but it multiplies at a slow rate. Without effective drugs to prevent the progression of HIV, this period will probably last ten years or more. At the end of this period, the load of the virus increases, and the person may develop symptoms.
Stage III or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS): People who are treated and prescribed medication by a doctor will never enter stage III. The most severe course of HIV infection is called AIDS. The immune system of people living with AIDS is very weak. In this case, simple illnesses such as seasonal flu may be dangerous for these patients. In other words, due to a weak immune system, people with AIDS develop a variety of severe infectious diseases called opportunistic infections. People with AIDS have a high viral load and will usually live for about three years without treatment.
Types of diagnostic tests for HIV
The only way to detect HIV is through laboratory tests. During the CoVID-19 pandemic, the process of identifying and treating people living with HIV has slowed down due to reduced travel and the allocation of maximum laboratory and therapeutic staff to patients with CoVID-19. In addition, according to the slogan of this year’s National HIV Counseling and Testing Day, it is necessary to obtain information about different types of HIV testing and to inform about it on the National HIV Testing Day.
There are three types of tests available to diagnose the virus:
Nucleic Acid Test (NAT): Detects the genetic material of the virus in a patient’s blood. This method determines the presence of the HIV virus materials (RNA) as well as the load of the virus. it requires blood sampling. NAT testing is done with a molecular testing method called PCR. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) increases the amount of viral genetic material in the blood sample to a level that can be detected by the next steps of the test. NAT detects HIV faster than other methods, but it is an expensive method; This method is used only when the person is at a potential risk or when it shows the first signs of infection.
Antibody test: which detects an antibody (antibody produced by immune cells that came in contact with a virus antigen and identified an external agent) in the blood.
Antigen test (p24 antigen): An antigen (proteins on the surface of a virus) used to find the HIV virus in a patient’s blood and fluids. Antigen testing is done both by blood sampling and by using special kits.
Consult your doctor to choose the right type of test for you. Using the best and most up-to-date equipment in the field of molecular and serological tests, Payvand laboratory provides complete services related to different types of HIV diagnostic tests. Click here to view the types of HIV tests performed by Payvand Clinical & Specialty Laboratory, and by performing HIV testing, the main goal of the National HIV Counseling and Testing Day is to screen and treat HIV patients; help.
Resources: