P24 Antigen Test

P24 antigen test are used to diagnose the initial stages of HIV infection. This is because of the increase in the level of p24 antigen or p24 protein in our body, after the initial contraction of the disease in a time span of 2 to 9 weeks. This is one of the earliest forms of HIV test and it can detect the HIV status in the patient within a very short window period. This test ideally yields a better result when it is conducted before the production of antibodies in our body. The time between increase in the level of p24 antigens and production of antibodies is the most suitable time to conduct this test.

Therefore, if someone has gone through an antibody test, and it yielded a negative result, then it is better to rely on p24 antigen test or viral load test. Nowadays, the latter is more popular as it is more recent.

If the test detects low level of p24 antigen lower than a particular limit, then the chances are, you have not contracted HIV.

How p24 antigen tests works?

The test detects the level of p24 protein in our body. It is the capsid protein of the virus. These proteins get mixed with the person’s blood as he contracts HIV. The p24 antigen test makes the p24 protein sticks to the monoclonal antibody in the person’s blood and makes it change its color during the course of the test, to show that the HIV test is positive. If it does not change its color, then it is negative. A test is also positive, if simultaneously, the number of p24 antigens is detected as high. No presence of this antigen in p24 antigen test means, no traces of HIV in the blood.

P24 antigen test advantages:

• It is less time consuming
• This test can yield an accurate result in the initial stages of the disease.
• It is not so expensive.
• It happens in the form of simple blood test; therefore it is not a very painful test.
• It shows the impact and prevalence of the virus at the initial stages of the disease
• It shows the p24 antigen count along with the cd4 count and the viral load count.
• This test is accessible in most developed and underdeveloped nations at a very reasonable cost.

However, the p24 antigen test is no more an acceptable test method. This is because it is old and obsolete. Although it is a very helpful means to find out the presence of HIV antigens right at the early stage of the disease, it is no more a very popular one. This is because other new methods have eventually outshined this old method. New antibody tests and viral load tests look more reliable and faster due to their technological merits. However, people have not completely ruled out the option of p24 antigen test and still resort to it when a test has to be done fast, in a medical emergency, or due to monetary constraints.