HIV Testing in Nairobi: Cost, Accuracy, and the Best Time to Get Tested – INKA Medical Guide

HIV testing is one of the crucial things you can do to ensure that your health and those around you are cared for. INKA Medical is a medical center that offers affordable, confidential, and accurate HIV testing services within Nairobi. It is important for an individual to understand how HIV tests function, when to get tested, and the types of tests available in order to make informed decisions and manage your wellness.
Manage your well-being today by visiting INKA Medical to get private, affordable, and accurate HIV testing services.
Performing HIV tests helps save lives. INKA Medical, in Nairobi allows you to receive private and accurate HIV tests for early diagnosis, timely medication, and prophylaxis of transmission. At INKA Medical, advanced World Health Organization techniques that meet ministry of health approved methods are utilized during HIV testing and diagnostics.

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What Is HIV Testing?

HIV testing identifies if you have the Human Immunodeficiency Virus or not. The test looks for both the virus and antibodies that the body assembles as a response. It is important to get an HIV test to ensure timely interventions. This enables infected people to live healthy and prevent transmissions. Present HIV testing protocols are reliable and present accurate diagnosis.
Types of HIV Tests

Your healthcare giver can order any of the three available tests to detect HIV. The type of test will determine if you use an oral or blood sample that will be used for diagnosing HIV. For this case, oral fluids are different from saliva because oral fluids have cells that come from your  mouth.
Nucleic Acid Test (NAT)

This is a test that diagnoses HIV genetic material known as HIV RNA. With this potential, NAT tests can inform of viral load within your blood and can detect HIV as early as 10 days after infection. Because it is a sensitive test, NAT can be really expensive as it is used frequently on early exposure. 
Antigen/Antibody Test

Unlike the NAT test that checks for the virus, this test is a combination of antibody and antigen test that examines for viral signs. The test is done by drawing blood from the veins to check for HIV antibodies. In case of exposure, the test checks for p24 antigen in the blood. This test can be used within 18 to 45 days of infection and the results usually show up in 20 minutes of checking.
Antibody Tests

These tests focus only on detecting HIV antibodies. The tests are performed normally through fluid samples or a finger prick. These tests, unlike NAT tests, are not expensive and can be done within rapid environments.
Why You Need an HIV Test

The U.S HIV Preventive Services Task Force suggests that everyone between 15 to 65 years of age at least perform an HIV test once in their life. At an early stage, HIV does not always exhibit symptoms. Therefore, doing HIV tests is the appropriate way to identify the virus and begin interventions to prevent its spread and effects. It is essential for pregnant mothers and people with high risk of infection to do HIV tests. The tests help you to know your status, access early intervention, protect your loved ones, and get peace of mind.
Accurate Period and When to Get an HIV Test

HIV tests do not immediately detect HIV just after exposure. However, the window period, the period between exposure and when the virus can be detected is the appropriate time to do an HIV test. At this time your body would have already formed antibodies to fight the virus. Notably, the maximum window period to detect HIV is 90 days as many people develop antibodies within 3 to 6 weeks of exposure. Again, NAT tests can detect the infection within 10 to 15 days, antigen/antibody tests can recognize the virus as of 2 to 6 weeks. Remember, performing a test early and getting negative results requires you to repeat the test after 3 months.  
Where to Get an HIV Test

You can perform HIV tests at the comfort of your house or by visiting your favourite clinic. Visit INKA  Medical today and enjoy professional, confidential, and affordable HIV testing services. At the center, you get certified healthcare givers that are ready to offer consultations and quality services, you are able to walk in and perform an HIV test the same day,  and the location is also convenient. More so, you get to enjoy a warm pre and post counselling from INKA Medical caring healthcares.
Contact https://inkamedicalcentre.co.ke/contact/ and get tested today. Transform AIDs response, get tested today.

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HIV Test Procedure and Costs

HIV Test Procedure

Preparing for a HIV test requires you to do nothing if the tests involve drawing blood. However, for tests involving oral fluids, you are required not to eat or drink for at least 30 minutes before the test. At INKA Medical, once you visit, you register and proceed to do a pre counselling to know about HIV and the testing process. Second, a sample is collected through the vein or by finger pricking. Thereafter, NAT or ELISA methods are used to do tests and analysis. Rapid tests usually take between 15 to 20 minutes whereas lab tests might take extra minutes. Once the results are realized, a post test counselling is done. The post test counsel explains on how to interpret the HIV test outcomes and what else is to follow.
Cost of HIV Testing

The cost of HIV testing is dependable on the type of test involved. NAT tests are usually expensive ranging from KES 3,500 to 5000 because of the potential to detect the virus early. Antibody/ antigen incorporates ELISA tests that cost between KES 1000 to 2000. On the other hand rapid HIV tests are the least expensive costing between KES 300 to 500. Join us today at INKA Medical to receive affordable HIV testing services.
HIV Test Outcomes and Follow-Ups

Negative results indicate that no HIV was detected. But, with recent exposure, a retest should be scheduled within three months. On the other side, positive results suggest HIV virus confirmation. Additional tests are required to confirm exposure. In case an inconclusive result is attained, a repeat test must be done. Constant follow ups should be done for persons at high risk of being exposed to HIV or on PrEp.
What to Do After an HIV Test

If the results are negative, it is important to continue safe practice and perform time to time tests. If the results are negative and the tests were done too soon, perform a repeat test after 3 months. In case of   the results being positive, start on medication immediately. INKA Medical can connect you to the CCC where you will receive medication and further follow up. Also, the counsellors available will offer emotional support and proper guidance through your journey.
Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

HIV testing is an act of self care and taking charge of your health and that of your loved ones. Frequent testing and early diagnosis enhances prevention of HIV transmission and it fosters timely interventions. INKA Medical is a health facility in Nairobi that offers you access to affordable, accurate, and confidential HIV testing services. Visit INKA Medical and experience professional HIV screening in Nairobi, tst confirmation, and counselling. INKA Medical! Your professional holistic care partner.

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