Rapid Diagnostic Testing for HIV:
Clinical Implications of a New Diagnostic Tool

INTERPRETATION OF RAPID HIV TEST RESULTS

Interpretation of rapid HIV tests is the same as other, conventional HIV screening tests. A negative result from a single test is interpreted as being negative. However, if a person may have been exposed to HIV within three months of the test, a repeat test at a later time is recommended. A positive (or reactive) result is considered to be a preliminary positive test result. This must be confirmed using a Western blot or an immunofluoresence assay (IFA). This confirmatory testing should be done as soon as possible. If the rapid HIV test is a preliminary positive and the confirmatory test is negative (discrepant results) both the rapid HIV test and the confirmatory test should be repeated. A consultation with an infectious disease specialist is recommended. If the rapid HIV test does not provide a valid test result, most likely the test kit did not work properly and the rapid HIV test should be repeated.¹²