HIV Test Price, Normal Range, Preparation & Results

What Is a HIV Test?

An HIV test is a diagnostic tool used to detect the presence of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) in the body. This virus weakens the immune system by attacking specific cells that protect the body from infections and diseases. The immune system produces antibodies to combat the infection. HIV tests identify antibodies or other markers associated with HIV infection in a sample of blood. While some individuals develop detectable antibodies within 23 days after infection, it may take up to 90 days for others to develop them.

Modern HIV tests are highly accurate and effective, providing reliable results that ensure a correct diagnosis and timely intervention. Testing for HIV is crucial because early detection allows early initiation of treatment, strengthening the immune system to better combat the virus and lower the risk of progression of HIV to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

HIV Test Price

The HIV test is priced at ₹900. Avail our home sample collection service within 60 minutes of booking. Orange Health Labs guarantees cost-effective, dependable, and easy home-based testing. The blood sample is taken from a location of your choice by trained experts, also referred to as eMedics. Please be mindful that the cost may vary according to the laboratory you choose and your region. The following list displays the HIV test cost in different cities:

HIV Test Cost Across India

S.No	Test In City	Price
1	HIV 1&2 (ECLIA) Test in Bangalore	₹ 900
2	HIV 1&2 (ECLIA) Test in Gurgaon	₹ 900
3	HIV 1&2 (ECLIA) Test in Delhi	₹ 900
4	HIV 1&2 (ECLIA) Test in Hyderabad	₹ 900
5	HIV 1&2 (ECLIA) Test in Mumbai	₹ 900
6	HIV 1&2 (ECLIA) Test in Noida	₹ 900

Preparations Before the HIV Blood Test

Fasting is usually not required before an HIV test . However, it’s important to inform your doctor about any medications you are taking or recent infections you’ve had, as these factors could influence the accuracy of the test results.

HIV Test Procedure

After scheduling the HIV blood test , an eMedic will collect your blood sample. The HIV test procedure typically involves the following steps:

Preparation : The eMedic will make sure you are situated comfortably and give you a quick explanation of the test process.
Site Selection : A vein, usually in the inner elbow area, will be identified and cleaned with an antiseptic wipe to maintain hygiene.
Needle Insertion : A small needle will be inserted into the vein to draw blood. You may feel a mild sting or pinch during this step.
Blood Collection : A vial containing the required volume of blood will be taken for analysis.
Needle Removal : Once the collection is complete, the needle will be removed, and gentle pressure will be applied to the puncture site with a gauze pad to stop any bleeding.
Bandaging : A small bandage will be placed over the site to protect it.

The entire sample collection process usually takes less than five minutes, and the results will be available within 12 hours.

Why Take the HIV Test?

Getting an HIV blood test done is essential for early detection and effective management of the virus. Identifying the infection early allows timely treatment, helping you maintain your health, and reduces the risk of complications.

Key Health Benefits

This test offers the following health benefits:

Monitoring of Health : Detects the presence of HIV infection and its stage to assess immune system function.
Treatment Evaluation : Determines if antiretroviral therapy (ART) is needed to control the virus, prevent the progression to AIDS, and lower the risk of opportunistic infections or certain cancers.

Regular testing can empower individuals to take control of their health, stay healthy, and prevent the spread of HIV to others.

Who Should Take the HIV Blood Test?

HIV testing is recommended for anyone at risk of exposure to the virus or experiencing symptoms that may indicate an infection.

Who Should Be Tested:

Individuals With Symptoms: Those experiencing symptoms like persistent fever, unexplained rash, or chronic fatigue should consider testing.
High-Risk Individuals:
- People with a history of unprotected sex or multiple partners.
- Men who engage in sexual activities with the same gender.
- Individuals diagnosed with another sexually transmitted infection (STI).
- People who share needles for drug use.
Pregnant Individuals: Pregnancy-related testing is essential to preventing HIV transmission from mother to child. High-risk pregnancies may require repeated testing during gestation.
After Potential Exposure: Anyone exposed to HIV through sexual assault, needle sharing, or unprotected contact with an HIV-positive person should consult a doctor. If post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is initiated within 72 hours after exposure, it can help prevent health issues.

Signs That You Might Need a HIV Test

Consider getting an HIV test if you have been exposed to the virus and are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

Flu symptoms, such as body pains, chills, and fever.
Severe fatigue or muscle aches.
Swelling of the lymph nodes, particularly those in the neck, armpits, or genitals.
Unexplained skin rash/weight loss.
Sweating at night.
Mouth sores or ulcers.

HIV Test Results Interpretation

Here's how to interpret your HIV test results :

HIV Test Result	Range	Interpretation
Non-reactive	< 0.90 S/C Units	No HIV detected
Reactive	≥ 1.00 S/C Units	Indicates the presence of HIV; further testing required for confirmation

FAQs on HIV Test

HIV Test Cost in Bangalore : ₹900
HIV Test Price in Delhi : ₹900
HIV Test Cost in Gurgaon : ₹900
HIV Test Price in Hyderabad : ₹900
HIV Test Cost in Mumbai : ₹900
HIV Test Price in Noida : ₹900

The ECLIA HIV blood test is highly accurate and is a reliable testing method for detecting HIV antigens and antibodies.

The window period is the time between HIV exposure and viral detection on the test. For ECLIA HIV testing, the window period is 18 to 90 days.

A normal result for the HIV test is a non-reactive result, indicated by a value of less than 0.90 S/C Units. This suggests that the sample does not contain any HIV antibodies or antigens.

To get an HIV test in India:

Search for the Test: Visit the Orange Health website or app and search for an HIV test in your location.
Confirm Booking: Select the HIV test, review the guidelines, provide your location, and schedule a convenient time.
Sample Collection: A trained eMedic from Orange Health will collect the sample from your home or chosen location.
Lab Processing: Your sample will be examined in a NABL-accredited and ICMR-approved lab.
Receive Results: The HIV test report will be sent via email or WhatsApp and can also be viewed on the Orange Health app.

Technology: ECLIA uses electrochemical reactions to detect HIV, while ELISA uses enzyme reactions that produce color changes.
Accuracy: ECLIA is generally more accurate and sensitive, especially for detecting both HIV-1 and HIV-2.
Generation: ECLIA is a 4th generation assay, while ELISA includes both 3rd and 4th generation tests.

False-positive results are rare, occurring in about 0.5% of cases due to the high specificity of modern screening technologies like ECLIA. If a false-positive result occurs, additional confirmatory tests are conducted to ensure accuracy.

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Some NGOs in India focus on HIV/AIDS awareness and offer free testing services, such as the AIDS Healthcare Foundation in Mumbai.
Online Resources: Websites like the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) provide information on testing centers in different cities.
Local Health Departments: Contact local health departments for information on free testing locations and programs. Always verify the services and availability.

HIV detection timeframes vary by test type:

Antibody tests : Detectable within 23–90 days.
Antigen/antibody tests : Detectable within 18–90 days.
NAT : Detectable within 10–33 days.

To ensure reliable results, consider these timeframes and schedule follow-up testing if needed.

What Does the HIV Test Measure?

HIV tests are designed to detect specific markers in the body that identify an HIV infection. These markers can include antibodies, antigens, or the virus's genetic material.

Key Components Measured:

HIV Antibodies: These are proteins generated by the immune system to fight the virus.
HIV Antigens: These are parts of the virus itself, which appear in the blood earlier than antibodies.
HIV Genetic Material: Tests such as nucleic acid tests (NATs) help in detecting the genetic material (RNA) of the virus.

These components help identify the presence of the virus in its early or advanced stages and assist in determining the time since infection to guide treatment decisions.

Normal HIV Levels

A negative HIV test result usually means that no HIV infection was found; however, it's important to ensure the test was taken at the appropriate time to accurately detect the virus. It may take some time after HIV exposure for the HIV test to show positive results, as the body needs time to produce detectable levels of HIV antigens and antibodies. If you were recently exposed to HIV and your test result is negative, further testing may be required to confirm the result.

It's important to remember that reference values might change based on the kind of test being conducted.

What Affects Your HIV Test Results?

Recent exposure to HIV, particularly within the “window period” when antibodies may not yet be detectable, can influence test results. If you were exposed within the last 90 days, a follow-up test may be necessary for accurate detection. If the exposure occurred 90 days or more ago, you could generally trust the result to reflect your true HIV status. 2 Additionally, certain medical conditions like autoimmune disorders or treatments (e.g., participation in vaccine study for HIV) may also impact test results.

When to Seek Medical Advice Based on HIV Blood Test Results

Here are a few instances of when you should contact your doctor:

Positive Result : If you receive a positive result, it's important to consult with a doctor immediately for follow-up testing and treatment planning. If your follow-up test is also positive, you will be diagnosed with HIV and will be advised to begin ART right away. Further, regular visits to your doctor will be essential to monitor your treatment progress.

Unclear Results : If your results are inconclusive, seek medical advice for further testing or follow-up to ensure accurate results and appropriate next steps.

Advantages of Early HIV Testing

The HIV test is a cost-effective and widely accessible diagnostic tool with several key benefits, including:

Early diagnosis and treatment, which supports immune health and may prevent disease progression.
Reduced risk of complications from undiagnosed HIV.
Informed decision-making regarding family planning and reducing transmission to partners and infants.
Opportunities for lifestyle adjustments, helping prevent the transmission of HIV to others.
Proactive health planning, enabling better management of potential health concerns.

Common Diseases Diagnosed by HIV Test

The HIV blood test plays a crucial role in diagnosing and managing:

HIV infection and its progression to AIDS, which damages the immune system and increases vulnerability to infections.
Opportunistic infections, such as pneumonia, Salmonella, candidiasis, toxoplasmosis, and tuberculosis, which are more severe or frequent in individuals with a weakened immune system.

Risk Factors

The probability of contracting HIV is increased by several factors, including:

Engaging in unprotected sexual activity.
Sharing needles or syringes.
Receiving blood transfusions from unscreened blood products.
Mother-to-child transmission during childbirth or breastfeeding.

Complications of Untreated Abnormalities in HIV Levels

If HIV is not treated, it can lead to serious medical issues such as:

Progression to AIDS.
Increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections, such as tuberculosis and pneumonia.
Potential neurological disorders and damage to organs.

How to Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle?

If you have HIV, you may be able to strengthen your immune system in a number of ways, such as:

Adhering to ART : Take HIV medications as prescribed to protect your immune system.
Getting Regular Check-ups : Visit your doctor regularly for monitoring and early detection of issues.
Following a Healthy Lifestyle
- Eat a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.
- Stay active to strengthen immunity and manage weight.
- Get enough sleep for better immune function.
- Avoid smoking and limit alcohol to protect your immune health.

Similar Tests to HIV Test

A similar test for HIV is as follows:

NAT

This test assesses the quantity of the virus in the bloodstream by identifying the HIV RNA. It is typically used for individuals with high exposure risk, those displaying symptoms, or to confirm a positive antigen/antibody test result.

It is important to note that each test varies in sensitivity and the detection window post-exposure, so follow-up testing may be necessary based on the timing and result of the initial test.

Difference Between the HIV and Other Similar Blood Tests

The HIV Antibody test checks a sample (blood, saliva, or urine) for antibodies specific to the virus. In comparison, the HIV Antigen/Antibody test identifies both the p24 antigen—a protein that appears early in infection—and HIV antibodies. The NAT goes a step further by measuring the viral load and directly detecting HIV RNA (the virus's genetic material) in the blood.

The timeframes for detecting HIV also vary significantly across the three tests:

HIV Antibody Test : Can detect antibodies as early as 23 days after infection but may take up to 90 days for accurate results.
HIV Antigen/Antibody Test : Detects HIV infection 18 to 45 days after infection for laboratory-based tests and 90 days after infection for rapid and at-home tests.
NAT : Estimates the viral load 10-33 days following exposure to HIV.

HIV Testing During Special Conditions

If you are pregnant, your doctor may recommend an HIV test since the virus can be transmitted to the baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or through breast milk. HIV testing in other special conditions may include:

In Babies Born to HIV-Positive Mothers

Traditional antibody tests may not be specific to the baby because they carry their parent's antibodies in their blood for up to 18 months. Viral nucleic acid tests like NAT can identify an HIV infection within two to three weeks of exposure.

People With Unclear Test Results

In individuals whose initial test was positive and the second test was negative, further testing may be required.

HIV Test Details

Test Name	HIV Test
HIV Test Price	Starts from Rs. 900/-
Also Known As	HIV Antibody/Antigen Tests, Human Immunodeficiency Virus Antibody Test, HIV p24 Antigen Test, HIV test, HIV Screening test, HIV Diagnostic test, HIV Antibody test, HIV Blood test, and HIV 1&2 Antibody test
Purpose	To check for HIV infection
Pre-test Information	Fasting is not required for a HIV test.
Report Delivery	Get reports within 12 hours.
Frequency	As prescribed by your doctor.
Home Testing	Yes, home blood sample collection in 60 minutes from booking.
Sample Required	A blood sample is required for a HIV test.

Other Tests/Packages With Price

Test/Package Name	Cost
HIV 1&2 (ECLIA) Test	₹ 900
HIV DUO Test	₹ 760
HOMA-IR, Insulin Resistance Index Test	₹ 1360
HIV-1 Viral Load, Quantitative, PCR Test	₹ 5800
HIV-2 RNA Qualitative Detection, PCR Test	₹ 4150
Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) Test	₹ 180
Women Health Checkup - Essential Checkup	₹ 1599
Senior Citizen Checkup - Female Checkup	₹ 4299
Senior Citizen Checkup - Male Checkup	₹ 4299