$Unique_ID{BRK02376}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Can any Blood Test Detect the HIV Virus}
$Subject{mononucleosis blood test hiv human immunodeficiency virus testing
screening tests chemistries aids lab laboratory mono acquired immune
deficiency syndrome viral viruses screen chemistry}
$Volume{P-7}
$Log{
}

Copyright (c) 1992,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Can any Blood Test Detect the HIV Virus


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QUESTION:  If a person were tested for mononucleosis, or were given a blood
test for any other reason, would the doctor be able to detect the HIV virus if
the person was infected?  Thank you for answering.

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ANSWER:  Remember one of my many pieces of advice which goes, "If you don't
ask, you can't find out."  The same holds true for any type of testing.  If
you don't order a test for a specific evaluation, you don't get an answer.
The only exceptions are for a variety of screening tests, where a battery, or
combination of as many as 20 tests may be run on a single sample of blood.
They seek to find the levels of glucose (for diabetes), BUN (for kidney
disease), uric acid (for gout), etc.  They are principally used to obtain a
broad perspective of the chemical workings of the body, and so are grouped as
"blood chemistries".  And that is only one type of testing that can be
performed on blood.  There are many, many tests, of which a large percentage
seek the evidence of a specific disease.  The test for the immunological
reaction to the HIV (or AIDS) virus is one of those specific tests.  Because
of the sensitive nature of such results, the physician would, as a general
rule, tell the patient that the test was being run.  I suspect that this sort
of anxiety is the reason you submitted the question.  To help reassure you a
bit, the simple answer is that a test for mononucleosis or any other specific
disorder would NOT reveal the presence of an HIV virus if it was present.  If
you wish the answer to that question, you must ask for that specific test.
And that means if your physician has told you that your blood test was
"normal", it doesn't apply to AIDS.  A bit of advice:  if you are having any
doubts about this, you had best discuss the problem with your personal family
physician.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.