Question

Do test results show the mode of transmission?

24 August 2016. Related: All topics, HIV testing.

can an HIV positive test report show the way the virus was transmitted?

Answer

Answer: Muirgen Stack

Hi,

I am afraid this is not possible. Many HIV positive people do not how and when they acquired HIV. HIV also mutates very quickly making it harder. The CD4 count of a person can sometimes be considered as a sign for how long someone has been positive but this isn’t a good indicator  as people respond differently to HIV, and have different CD4 counts at the same stage of infection.

If you think think you became positive within the last 6 months or so then there is a type of testing for this –  early infection and RITA testing. This is not available in all countries though.