← Blood tests
HIV Antigen / Antibody
Routine annualalso 4th-gen hiv test
What it isA combined test that detects both the HIV p24 viral protein (which appears within 2–4 weeks of infection) and antibodies against HIV (which appear within weeks to months).
DoesScreens for HIV infection at high sensitivity with relatively short window.
GoodA negative test in someone past the window period effectively rules out HIV.
BadPositive results trigger confirmatory testing. Modern antiretroviral therapy makes HIV a manageable chronic condition with normal life expectancy.
- Standard
- Negative.
- Optimal
- Negative (lower is good)
- Modifiers
- Window period after exposure; high-risk situations may warrant repeat testing.
How to optimize
- Lifestyle
- Safer sex practices; pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for high-risk situations.
- Diet
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- Supplements
- —
- Peptides
- —
- Drugs
- Antiretroviral therapy if positive; PrEP (tenofovir-emtricitabine) for prevention.
Reference ranges are general adult lab norms; optimal ranges are editorial picks from the longevity literature — not medical advice. Always interpret results with your physician.
within Infections