How to Read Western Blot HIV Test Results

A western blot, or immunoblot, HIV test is used to find out whether the subject's body is producing detectable levels of the antigen produced by the immune system when the HIV-1 virus is present in the bloodstream. It is widely considered to be one of the most accurate ways to detect HIV infection.

Things You'll Need

• Physician

Instructions

Get to Know the Detection Methods Used in Western Blot Testing

1. Visit your doctor or local sexual-health clinic to have a western blot HIV test performed. These tests usually make use of blood or oral-fluid samples as specimens to be analyzed for the presence of HIV-1 antigens.

2. Read the results of your western blot test with the assistance of the health-care professional who performed the test in the first place. Laboratory documents are technical in nature.

3. Learn the basic differences between the five detection methods: colorimetric detection, chemiluminescence, radioactive detection, fluorescent detection and secondary probing.

4. Use the colorimetric detection method to turn the dye used in the specimen tray to a color that will indicate the presence or non-presence of HIV-1 antigens.

5. Apply the chemiluminescence method to apply light to a digital or photographic image of the sample to find whether or not antigens are present.

6. Use X-ray film in tandem with the western blot sample to read whether or not the HIV-1 antigens are present. This is known as the radioactive-detection method.

7. Have the antigens detected with the help of highly sensitive, specialized camera equipment that can sense light emitted from excited positive-sample particles. Called the fluorescent-detection method, this technique is very intricate, but produces highly accurate results.

8. Ask your doctor which of these methods was used in the lab that analyzed your tissue sample. Understand the specific criteria involved in determining a non-reactive (negative) or reactive (positive) result, depending on the detection method used.

9. Go to the doctor's office or clinic where you were tested to read the results with the help of your doctor.

10. Make arrangements for any further testing that may be necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Another very common HIV detection method is the ELISA test, which you may be asked to take in the event that your western blot test shows a positive result.

• If you're sexually active, get tested for HIV regularly, even if you always use latex condoms. Abstinence is the only 100-percent sure way to avoid becoming infected with the HIV virus through sexual contact.