Top HIV Testing Methods: A Comparison of Accuracy, Reliability, and Convenience
There are many different ways to test for HIV, including blood, oral fluid, and vaginal fluid. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages and some people may be better suited for one type of test over another. Here's a quick rundown of each: HIV testing methods include blood, oral fluid, vaginal fluid, and the skin. There are many different HIV testing methods that can be used to detect the virus, but the most common is blood. Blood tests look for antibodies, proteins produced by your immune system that help fight infections. If you have HIV and have developed antibodies against it, then a positive test result means you're infected with the virus. The next most common method is oral fluid testing—in this case saliva or mucus from your mouth (not urine). Saliva is often collected using a cotton swab or paper towel and placed in an envelope; if it contains enough fluid for testing purposes, then it can be sent directly back to labs where it will be analyzed for levels of a