HIV Combi (Type 1 & 2 Antibodies+ p24 Antigen)

Description

HIV Combi (Type 1) Lab Test – Early & Accurate Detection of HIV Infection

The HIV Combi (Type 1) Lab Test from Lab Tests Dubai is a 4th-generation HIV screening test—the most advanced method available for early detection of HIV Type 1, the most common strain worldwide.

Unlike older tests that detect only antibodies, this dual-target test identifies:

• HIV-1 p24 antigen – a viral protein present before antibodies develop
• HIV-1 antibodies (IgM/IgG) – produced by your immune system in response to infection

This combination allows detection of HIV as early as 18–25 days after exposure, significantly reducing the window period and enabling faster diagnosis and treatment.

Using high-sensitivity chemiluminescence technology, this serum-based test delivers 99.9% accurate results within just 1 day, helping healthcare providers confirm or rule out HIV infection early—when treatment is most effective.

Available with discreet home blood collection and confidential reporting, Lab Tests Dubai ensures fast, private, and stress-free testing—so you can get answers without fear, stigma, or delay.

Why You Need This Test

If you’ve had unprotected sex, shared needles, or are unsure of your partner’s status, this test could give you peace of mind—or a life-saving early diagnosis.

You need the HIV Combi Test if:

• You had unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex
• You shared needles or syringes
• You’re completing PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) and need follow-up
• You have flu-like symptoms after a potential exposure
• You’re starting PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)
• You’re planning pregnancy or marriage
• You’re in a high-risk group (e.g., MSM, sex workers, healthcare workers)

This test helps:

• Detect HIV earlier than 3rd-gen tests
• Start treatment early (ART = Antiretroviral Therapy)
• Achieve undetectable status (U=U: Undetectable = Untransmittable)
• Reduce anxiety with a definitive answer

Early detection = longer life, better health, and zero transmission risk.

Symptoms That Indicate This Test

Consider the HIV Combi Test if you experience:

✅ For Acute HIV (2–6 Weeks Post-Exposure):

• Fever, chills, night sweats
• Sore throat, swollen glands
• Rash on torso, face, or limbs
• Fatigue, muscle/joint pain
• Mouth ulcers or genital sores

✅ For High-Risk Exposure:

• Unprotected sex with new or unknown partner
• Needle stick injury (e.g., healthcare workers)
• Shared drug injection equipment
• Sex with someone who is HIV-positive

✅ For Silent Infection:

• No symptoms at all — up to 50% of people show none

Early HIV often feels like the flu—but early testing can change everything.

Natural Production: How the Combi Test Detects HIV Early

After HIV enters the body:

1. The virus replicates rapidly
2. p24 antigen appears in blood 10–15 days post-exposure
3. Antibodies develop 3–4 weeks later

The HIV Combi Test detects both, making it a 4th-generation test—the gold standard recommended by WHO and CDC.

Window Period:

• 4th-gen test: 18–25 days (95% detection by 4 weeks)
• Final confirmation (if reactive) via HIV RNA PCR or Western Blot

This test is not a self-diagnosis tool—always follow up with a specialist for confirmatory testing and care.

What Happens If Untreated? Risks of Ignoring HIV

Ignoring HIV can lead to:

⚠️ Progression to AIDS – weakened immunity
⚠️ Opportunistic Infections – TB, pneumonia, meningitis
⚠️ Cancers – Kaposi’s sarcoma, lymphoma
⚠️ Neurological Damage – dementia, neuropathy
⚠️ Transmission to Partners or Baby

The good news? HIV is manageable with:

• Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) – one pill daily
• U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) – zero risk of spreading
• Normal life expectancy with early treatment

Early testing = a healthy future and zero transmission risk.

How to Prepare for the Test

To ensure accurate results:

✅ No fasting required
✅ Continue your regular medications—but inform your doctor
✅ Wait at least 4 weeks post-exposure for reliable results (test earlier if needed, but repeat at 6 weeks if negative)
✅ Inform your doctor of:

• Date of potential exposure
• Use of PEP or PrEP
• Current symptoms or treatments

A serum blood sample is collected via standard draw—available at our labs or via home collection.

Test Overview: Chemiluminescence Method

Interpretation:

• Negative → No evidence of HIV (if past window period)
• Reactive (Positive) → Requires confirmatory testing (HIV RNA PCR)
• Indeterminate → Repeat or retest in 1–2 weeks

Results are reported with clinical guidance and support resources.

Benefits of the HIV Combi Test

🔹 Early Detection
Identify HIV during the critical early window.

🔹 Confidential & Judgment-Free
Private testing with secure results.

🔹 PEP & PrEP Support
Monitor exposure and prevention effectiveness.

🔹 Peace of Mind
Know your status and take control.

🔹 Stop Transmission
Early treatment = zero risk to others.

If you’re worried about a risky encounter, flu-like illness, or want to know your status, the HIV Combi (Type 1) Test gives you the answers you need in just 1 day.