HIV

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), is an ongoing, also called chronic, condition. It’s caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, also called HIV. HIV
damages the immune system so that the body is less able to fight infection and disease. If HIV isn’t treated, it can take years before it weakens the immune system enough to become AIDS. Thanks to treatment, most people in the U.S. don’t get AIDS.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO; 2023), HIV is an international public health crisis with an approximately 39 million persons living with the virus as of 2022. Left untreated, HIV which is abbreviated for Human Immunodeficiency virus progresses to a more advanced disease called the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). In spite of the fact that there is no cure for HIV, with early detection and management of the infection, persons infected can have a positive prognosis and go on to pursue healthy lives. Alongside treatment with Antiretroviral (ART), testing for HIV is crucial to
manage the progression of the disease.

HIV is spread through contact with genitals, such as during sex without a condom. This type of infection is called a sexually transmitted infection, also called an STI. HIV also is spread through contact with blood, such as when people share needles or syringes. It is also possible for a person with untreated HIV to spread the virus to a child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.

There’s no cure for HIV/AIDS. But medicines can control the infection and keep the disease from getting worse. Antiviral treatments for HIV have reduced AIDS deaths around the world. There's an ongoing effort to make ways to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS more available in resource-poor countries.

At this time we do HIV Qualitative only (Detection) and are currently working on introducing Viral Load Testing

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). For most people, hepatitis B is short term, also called acute. Acute hepatitis B lasts less than six months. But for others, the infection lasts more than six months and is called chronic.

Chronic hepatitis B raises the risk of liver failure, liver cancer and serious scarring of the liver called cirrhosis. Most adults with hepatitis B recover fully, even if their symptoms are bad. Infants and children are more likely to develop a chronic, long-lasting hepatitis B virus infection. Others with serious liver damage from a chronic infection need a liver transplant. If you’re infected, taking certain safety measures can help prevent spreading the virus to others.

Symptoms of acute hepatitis B range from mild to serious. The symptoms usually start about 1 to 4 months after you’ve been infected with HBV. But you could notice them as early as two weeks after you’re infected. Some people with acute or chronic hepatitis B may not have any symptoms, especially young children.

Hepatitis B symptoms may include:

• Pain in the stomach area also called the abdomen.
• Dark urine.
• Fever.
• Joint pain.
• Loss of appetite.
• Upset stomach and vomiting.
• Weakness and extreme tiredness.
• Jaundice, which is a yellowing of the whites of the eyes and the skin. Depending on skin color, this change may be harder or easier to see.