The Forensic Nurse

In most cases the EIA (enzyme immunoassay), used on blood drawn from a vein, is the most common screening test used to look for antibodies to HIV. A positive (reactive) EIA must be used with a follow-up (confirmatory) test such as the Western blot to make a positive diagnosis. There are EIA tests that use other body fluids to look for antibodies to HIV. These include:

• Oral Fluid Tests – use oral fluid (not saliva) that is collected from the mouth using a special collection device. This is an EIA antibody test similar to the standard blood EIA test. A follow-up confirmatory Western Blot uses the same oral fluid sample.
• Urine Tests – use urine instead of blood. The sensitivity and specificity (accuracy) are somewhat less than that of the blood and oral fluid tests. This is also an EIA antibody test similar to blood EIA tests and requires a follow-up confirmatory Western Blot using the same urine sample.

Rapid Tests:

A rapid test is a screening test that produces very quick results, in approximately 20 minutes. Rapid tests use blood from a vein or from a finger stick, or oral fluid to look for the presence of antibodies to HIV. As is true for all screening tests, a reactive rapid HIV test result must be confirmed with a follow-up confirmatory test before a final diagnosis of infection can be made. These tests have similar accuracy rates as traditional EIA screening tests. Please visit the rapid HIV testing section for details.

In an unprecedented study being conducted by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) of teenagers and sexually transmitted diseases at least one in four girls nationally has at least one form of a sexually transmitted disease, or STD. 

That means that approximately 3 million girls aged 14-19 have an STD. The most common sexually transmitted infection is called HPV, or Human Papilloma Virus, which can cause cervical cancer. 

By far and away african american girls were the most likely to have an STD at nearly 50% infection rates of at least one STD. Whites and mexican-American teens were about around 20%.

Approximately half of those surveyed admitted to being sexually active, but their definition of what constitutes sexual activity is varied. Some feel that being sexually active only includes sexual intercourse, and does not include oral sex or other intimate behavior activities that do constitute sexual activity according to federal and state laws.