What is the procedure for the HIV PCR test?
The laboratory can analyze a biological sample for traces of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) using the HIV PCR test. PCR means a polymerase chain reaction, a technique used by a laboratory analyst used to identify any trail of the virus. Someone who wants to undergo a HIV PCR test usually visits a doctor who takes a sample, or may decide to take a sample at home and send it to the laboratory.
As soon as the person has infected HIV, although such transmission methods such as unprotected sexual intercourse, shared needles or contaminated blood transfusions, the virus multiplies. The HIV PCR test can determine viral particles in people who have been exposed two weeks before the test. This is, unlike cheaper tests, such as antibodies that may require months of infectious growth to provide a positive result.
Blood is the primary sample of the HIV PCR test. In many developed countries are subject to gifts KRin screening in this way. Newborn children with HIV also require the HIV PCR test instead of one of the other test options, because children retain antibodies against HIV after birth. An adult who wants to opt for this test must often visit a clinic or medical office where the doctor draws bottles of blood for the test. Another alternative may be the use of a home sampling kit where someone can place blood from a finger prick on a sample card and then send it to a test laboratory.
When the laboratory receives a sample, it places a part of the blood in the centrifugal machine and this machine is spinned with a high speed pattern. The speed divides the blood cell sample into layers depending on the size and weight. Then the analyst can remove a layer of specific blood cells he wants to test on viral particles.
The analyst adds chemicals to the cells to break them and relax the genetic material inside. This genetic material may include HIV virus because it livesand replicates inside the host cells. It then adds genetic material to a mixture of substances.
These substances can recognize a part of the virus genetic material, cut this part of the material and copy the pieces over and over again. In general, these substances also unintentionally recognize other parts of the viral genetic source, creating a lot of different pieces, of which only one is part of interest. A piece of equipment called the PCR machine provides a warm place for these substances in which they can work, helping to speed up the replication of pieces.
After the PCR has completed its cycle, the analyst removes the sample. It then passes through the agarosis gel under the electric current. It separates pieces of genetic material in length. The analyst knows how long the identification part of the gene virusety material is compared to other potential lengths, allowing the virus detection in the original blood sample.