Diagnostic Clinic and Medical Services

If you believe you have been exposed to HIV, it is necessary to get tested. HIV tests are the only reliable way to diagnose the condition. There are different procedures used for HIV screening. If you have slight symptoms, then taking the tests can provide precise results. Ambiguity can lead to paranoia that, in turn, severely impacts your mental health. 

Therefore if you have been in contact with an HIV-infected individual, had unprotected intercourse with different partners, then HIV screening is mandatory. OSRA Medical has HIV diagnostic facilities. If you are a gay or bisexual individual searching HIV diagnostic clinic in San Francisco, OSRA Medical should be your foremost preference.

Diagnostic Tests

Blood and oral samples are ideal for HIV screening. Following are some of the options for HIV testing.

Nucleic Acid Tests (NAT)

Also known as the viral load test, this test helps measure the number of viral particles in your body. The test is one of the fastest HIV detection methods. However, it is costly and cannot replace regular HIV tests. For identifying the symptoms of disease onset, the test is valid. The test is not reliable for detecting chronic HIV infections. New HIV infections contracted with 10-30 days can be identified through NAT. Blood samples are drawn through vein puncture and sent to the laboratory for running the test.

Antigen-Antibody Test

It is one of the most reliable screening options. In the test, the antibody levels in the blood are measured. Antibodies are produced as a result of the body's immune response against the virus. The virus generates antigens. Only antibodies can bind to them and counter their impact. Therefore the level of antibodies in the blood indicates the presence of HIV infection in the body. 

The production of antibodies requires time. Before the development of antibodies, the viral antigen p24 is produced. The detection of the viral antigens also indicates the existence of HIV. Antigen-Antibody test is carried out after 18-45 days of infection. The test produces results within 30 minutes.

Antibody Tests

This test uses both oral and blood samples. The antibodies present in these fluids are valid for detection after 29-90 days of infection. In such a long period, the self-explanatory symptoms of HIV are adequate to identify the infection. However, screening only enables the physicians to form an accurate diagnosis. In the case of blood samples, the results take 30 minutes. However, oral samples produce results in 20 minutes.

Medical Services

HIV treatment is provided following the symptoms. Strong symptoms call for effective measures. Therapies and drugs are both sufficient to counter the early infection. However, chronic infections require additional protocols.