Lab test · Infection
HIV 1 and 2 Antibody Test
HIV screening
- Blood sample
- No fasting
- Report within 24 hours
- Home collection
What this test is for
HIV screening
This blood test screens for antibodies to HIV-1 and HIV-2, the two types of human immunodeficiency virus. After infection, the body takes some weeks to make enough antibodies to detect, a time known as the window period. A reactive screening result is always checked with further tests before a diagnosis is made. HIV test results are treated as confidential.
Why a doctor may order it
- As part of routine screening in pregnancy
- After a possible exposure, such as unprotected sex or sharing needles
- As part of pre-marital, pre-employment or pre-operative screening
- Symptoms such as unexplained weight loss or repeated infections
- After a diagnosis of TB or another sexually transmitted infection
How to prepare
Fasting: Not needed.
There is nothing special to do beforehand, and you can eat normally. If you think you were exposed to HIV in the last few days, speak to a doctor urgently, because preventive treatment works best when started quickly. Tell your doctor when a possible exposure happened, as a test in the window period may need repeating.
At home
- Sample
- Blood sample
- How it works
- A trained collector takes a small blood sample from a vein in your arm in the privacy of your home. The sample is labelled and handled confidentially, and the draw takes a few minutes.
- Report
- Within 24 hours of collection.
What the results can mean
A non-reactive result means no HIV antibodies were found; if you were tested within the window period, a repeat test may be needed. A reactive result is not a diagnosis on its own and is confirmed with further tests. HIV is now a long-term condition that can be controlled well with treatment. Your doctor will interpret the result with you in confidence and explain the next steps.
What's included
One test: HIV 1 and 2 Antibody Test, from one blood sample.
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Questions people ask
What is the HIV window period?
It is the time between infection and when a test can detect it. For antibody tests, most people develop detectable antibodies within about three months, so a test soon after exposure may need repeating.
Does a reactive HIV test mean I have HIV?
Not on its own. A reactive screening result is always confirmed with further tests before a diagnosis is made.
Is my HIV test result confidential?
Yes. HIV test results are treated as confidential medical information.
Can HIV be treated?
Yes. Antiretroviral treatment controls the virus and allows people with HIV to live long, healthy lives. When treatment keeps the virus undetectable, HIV is not passed on through sex.
How much does a HIV test test cost in Dhaka?
With Mukti Health the price is ৳500, and the sample is collected at your home in Dhaka. You see the price again before you confirm the booking in the Mukti Health app.
Can I do the HIV test test at home in Dhaka?
Yes. Book it in the Mukti Health app and a trained sample collector comes to your home in Dhaka to take the blood sample. You do not need to go to a laboratory.
How long does the HIV test report take?
The report is usually ready within 24 hours of the sample being collected.