How is AIDS Diagnosed

To diagnosis AIDS, the doctor will need (1) a verified, positive check for HIV ("HIV positive" test) and (2) proof of an AIDS-defining situation or seriously depleted CD4 cells.

Testing for HIV is a two-step process including an examining check and a confirmatory check. The first thing is usually an examining check that looks for antibodies against the HIV virus. Specimen for examining comes from blood obtained from the vessels acquired from a finger stick or a oral swab, or a urine sample.
Result will be out at most is 20 minutes(rapid tests) or can take several days, based on the method that is used. If the examining HIV check is positive, the results are verified by a unique check known as a Western blot or indirect immunofluorescence analysis check. A western blot finds antibodies to the real elements of the vius. The confirmatory check is necessary because the examining check is less precise and sometimes will be positive in those who do not have HIV.

Another way to identify HIV disease is to do a unique check to identify viral contaminants in the blood . These test identify RNA, DNA, or viral antigens. However, these test are more widely used for directing treatment rather than for diagnosis.

Merely having HIV does not mean an individual has AIDS. AIDS is a high level  of HIV disease and needs that the individual have proof of a broken immune system. That proof comes from at least one of the following:

    * The use of an AIDS-defining condition
    * Calculating the CD4 cells in the body and displaying that there are less than 200 cells per milliliters of blood
    * A laboratory result displaying that less than 14% of lymphocytes are CD4 cells

It is keep in mind that any diagnosis of AIDS needs a verified, positive check for HIV.


Table 1: AIDS-defining situations: Note that a diagnosis of AIDS also requires a verified, positive test for HIV.

Pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis jiroveci

Recurrent severe bacterial pneumonia

Recurrent blood infections caused by Salmonella bacteria

Yeast infection of the esophagus (swallowing tube) or lungs

Cytomegalovirus infections including retinitis or infection of other organs

Invasive uterine cervical cancer

Kaposi sarcoma

Selected types of lymphoma, including Burkitt, immunoblastic, or lymphomas that start in the brain

Wasting syndrome caused by HIV

Certain parasites in the intestinal tract that cause intractable diarrhea: cryptosporidiosis, isosporiasis

Certain fungal infections if found outside of the lungs: coccidioidomycosis, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis

Tuberculosis in the lungs or outside the lungs (disseminated)

Herpes simplex infections that cause continuous sores, especially in the lung or esophagus

Infections with selected mycobacterium (relatives of the tuberculosis bacterium) outside the lung

Brain infection or infection of any internal organ with the parasite toxoplasmosis

Encephalopathy (brain infection) due to HIV

A viral brain infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy