HIV-1 gp41 Antibody Screening Test (Serum/Plasma)
This test detects antibodies to the gp41 protein of the HIV-1 virus, helping identify if you’ve been exposed to HIV. It’s used as part of screening to check for past or current infection.
["This screening test helps determine if you may have been exposed to HIV, even if you’re not yet showing symptoms."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 40438-4
- Short code
- HIV1 gp41 Ab SerPl Ql IA
- Synonyms
- HIV1 gp41 Ab SerPl Ql IA
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- ia
- CPT
- 86701
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
What This Test Measures
The test looks for antibodies produced by your immune system in response to the gp41 protein of HIV-1. If your body has encountered HIV, it may create these antibodies. This is a screening test, not a confirmatory one, so a positive result should be followed by further testing.
Why You Might Get This Test
You may receive this test if you have risk factors for HIV (e.g., unprotected sex, shared needles, or exposure to infected blood), if you’re part of a group at higher risk, or as part of routine screening in certain settings.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is needed. You’ll likely have a blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm. The blood is collected in a tube and sent to a lab for testing.
What to Expect After the Test
After the blood is drawn, you may feel a brief pinch or discomfort. Most people recover quickly. Results are typically available within a few days, but timing can vary by lab.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
A positive result suggests you may have been exposed to HIV and developed antibodies. However, it’s important to confirm with additional tests, as false positives can occur. A negative result means you likely haven’t been exposed recently, but HIV can sometimes take weeks to months to develop detectable antibodies. This test is not used to diagnose HIV in early stages; confirmatory tests like Western Blot or PCR are needed for diagnosis.
Short name
HIV gp41 Antibody Screen
Frequently asked questions
How soon can I get results?
What does a positive result mean?
Can I have this test if I’m pregnant?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy