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Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Human Immunodeficiency Virus is the virus which causes AIDS. It is contracted by contact with the blood, semen or vaginal secretions of an infected person. Once infected, a person may remain healthy for years. When an HIV infected person (HIV positive) becomes ill he has AIDS.

Risk Factors People at risk for HIV who should be tested are people:

Who have had unprotected sex with others whose HIV status is unknown.
Who have had unprotected sex with anyone who is HIV positive.
Who have other sexually transmitted diseases (makes it easier to contract HIV).
Who have shared needles.
Who have had unprotected sex with anyone who falls into the above categories.

The Test

If a screening test is positive it is verified by performing a Western Blot. If positive, these tests together are greater than 99% accurate. A negative result means no HIV antibodies have been detected. Such antibodies will usually be detected within 3 months, but may occasionally take up to 6 months to be detected.

To be certain that one is HIV negative one must be tested after 6 months from the time of one’s possible exposure.

Pregnancy Testing

There are many ways to test humans for pregnancy. Three common laboratory methods involve measuring for HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN (HCG). HCG is a protein hormone produced by the placenta.

Production of HCG increases steadily during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. At times it can be detected as early as 7 days from conception.

This test can be done quantitatively (often being able to determine how many weeks pregnant someone is).

This test can also be done qualitatively (just telling if HCG is positive or not). One may also test the urine for HCG. This is the least accurate of the methods to test for pregnancy described herein. This is best done with a first morning urine.

The most accurate test for pregnancy is a serum HCG quantitative blood.

Prostatic Specific Antigen (PSA)

PSA is a substance which is produced only by the prostate gland. Its measurement is done exclusively to help detect prostate cancer. PSA testing has dramatically increased the number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer to approximately 200,000 per year.

While PSA has revolutionized the detection of prostate cancer, it is not a perfect test.

False positives and false negatives may occur. The use of PSA should ideally be combined with a physical exam to help detect prostate cancer.

The American Urological Association recommends PSA testing in all men 50 years old and above.

Any Blood or Urine Test

Virtually any blood or urine test done in medical practice can be performed by New Age Testing.

Please call your nearest location for verification and pricing