There are several possibilities to test blood, urine or other tissues to the presence of HI-Virus / anti-HIV. What is well-known as the ' AIDS test' or as 'HI virus screening' is not in any sense the evidence of th HI-Virus itself, but the man produced antibodies against the real virus. The exception is with the PCR tests, which search for viral using nucleic acids (RNA) for evidence.

ELISA & Western blot

Most common are the ELISA and Western blot methods. These two methods are always used together: ELISA is appropriate to the risk of false negative results to reduce during the detailed Western blot test avoids false positive results. ELISA as Western Blot tests are cheap and they are about two to three months after a possible infection of high accuracy, but it is two to three weeks after a suspected infection can be used.

A positive ELISA result alone is not a reliable diagnosis for HIV infection, so it is always accompanied by Western blot applied, and it may happen that a healthy person months after a positive ELISA again a negative finding. Antibody tests can after recent acute illnesses, flu vaccinations and allergies false positive findings.

PCR testing

The direct detection of viral genome using PCR is the most reliable but also the most expensive method. The PCR test can be done a few days after infection. The PCR is used for the monitoring of antiretroviral therapy (HAART), as well as used in case of blood transfusion.