HIV Antibody Screening Test (Serum/Plasma)
This test detects antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which your body produces in response to infection. It helps determine if you have been exposed to HIV.
["This screening test is the first step in diagnosing HIV infection."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 11081-7
- Short code
- HIV2 p56 Ab Ser Ql IB
- Synonyms
- HIV2 p56 Ab Ser Ql IB
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- ib
- 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
Why This Test Is Done
Healthcare providers use this test to screen for HIV, especially if you have risk factors for infection, such as unprotected sexual contact, shared needles, or other behaviors that increase exposure. It may also be part of routine testing for certain groups (e.g., pregnant individuals, people with sexually transmitted infections).
How the Test Works
The test uses a blood sample (serum or plasma) to identify HIV antibodies. If you have been infected, your immune system produces antibodies against HIV within weeks to months after exposure. This test checks for these antibodies using an immunoassay method, which detects their presence with high accuracy.
Sample Collection and Preparation
A small amount of blood is drawn from a vein in your arm. The blood is then processed to separate serum or plasma for testing. This sample is sent to a lab for analysis.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is needed for this test. You may have some mild discomfort from the needle prick, but it usually goes away quickly. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a bleeding disorder, let your provider know before the test.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Clinical Significance
Short name
HIV Antibody Screen
Frequently asked questions
A positive result means antibodies to HIV are present, suggesting you may have been infected. However, false positives can occur, so follow-up testing (like a confirmatory HIV antibody test) is needed. A negative result means no detectable antibodies were found at this time, but HIV could still be present if you were infected recently. Early detection is crucial for managing the infection and preventing complications.
If your test is positive, you will likely need a confirmatory test to ensure accuracy. This step is important because some tests may give false positives due to other factors.
You may experience fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, or other symptoms after exposure, but these can also be unrelated to HIV. This test helps determine if you need further medical evaluation.
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