Reading an Immunofluorescent Assay (IFA) HIV Test Results

The immunofluorescent assay (IFA) HIV test is performed in order to examine a tissue sample for the presence of HIV-1 virus. An IFA HIV test consists of a drawing blood or plasma samples from the patient and requesting him or her to undergo laboratory analysis. The purpose of this is to identify detectable levels of the antibodies the immune system makes to battle the HIV virus.
1. Remember that the IFA HIV test is usually utilized after using a more standardized western-blot test or ELISA test. This test is capable of returning a positive or inconclusive result. IFA is not regularly performed by the doctors as an initial-screening procedure for the HIV virus, though preferences differ from doctor to doctor and clinic to clinic.
2. Plan to examine the results with the help of your physician or the qualified, sexual-health professional who gave the test. If you want to guard your privacy, you can ask the assistance of an anonymous in-person HIV testing services, particularly in larger cities.
3. As needed by the IFA test, the patient must give out a blood or plasma sample.
4. Don’t hesitate to inquire about the method used by the laboratory to conduct an IFA HIV test from your doctor. In an immunofluorescent assay (IFA) test, there is a specific antibody the antigen generates to fight the HIV-1 virus. This is ought to utilize one of four techniques: competitive, noncompetitive, heterogeneous or homogeneous-immunoassay testing.
5. Allow the doctor to explain the protocol specific to the lab completing testing on your sample. Laboratories will need a specified amount of HIV-1 antigen presented before assert a test reactive or positive. As compared with other HIV tests, the immunofluorescent assay (IFA) HIV test will be reported positive after a single immediate test result.
6. Obtain a follow-up tests performed if your IFA test revealed read positive results.