Reference range:
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is categorized into two distinct types: HIV-1 and HIV-2. Both are retroviruses that attack the body's immune system, but they have differences in their geographical prevalence, transmission rates, and progression to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
HIV-1: This is the most common type of HIV and is found worldwide. It's responsible for the vast majority of HIV infections globally. HIV-1 is characterized by its rapid transmission and progression. It is more aggressive and infects cells faster than HIV-2, leading to a quicker decline in immune function if left untreated. HIV-1 is divided into four groups: M (Main), O (Outlier), N (Non-M, Non-O), and P, with Group M responsible for the majority of infections worldwide. Further, Group M is divided into multiple subtypes and circulating recombinant forms (CRFs).
HIV-2: This type is less common and is predominantly found in West Africa, with some cases in India and Europe. Compared to HIV-1, HIV-2 is transmitted less efficiently, particularly from mother to child and through heterosexual contact. The progression of HIV-2 to AIDS is generally slower, and it may have a longer asymptomatic stage. HIV-2 is also less responsive to certain antiretroviral therapies, requiring specific treatment regimens.
In terms of diagnosis, the 4th generation HIV tests are capable of detecting both HIV-1 and HIV-2. These tests look for both antibodies (the body’s immune response to the virus) and antigens (specific parts of the virus; in the case of HIV, the p24 antigen is commonly targeted). The ability to detect antigens allows these tests to identify HIV infections earlier than antibody-only tests.
The management of HIV involves antiretroviral therapy (ART), which is effective for both types, although the specific treatment regimen may vary depending on whether it's HIV-1 or HIV-2. ART works by reducing the viral load in the body to undetectable levels, improving the quality of life and life expectancy of infected individuals, and significantly reducing the risk of transmission.
Understanding the differences between HIV-1 and HIV-2 is crucial for effective treatment and epidemiological control. Both types of HIV can lead to the weakening of the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to other infections and diseases. Early detection and appropriate treatment are key to managing the infection and preventing its spread.
The management of HIV involves antiretroviral therapy (ART), which is effective for both types, although the specific treatment regimen may vary depending on whether it's HIV-1 or HIV-2. ART works by reducing the viral load in the body to undetectable levels, improving the quality of life and life expectancy of infected individuals, and significantly reducing the risk of transmission.
Understanding the differences between HIV-1 and HIV-2 is crucial for effective treatment and epidemiological control. Both types of HIV can lead to the weakening of the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to other infections and diseases. Early detection and appropriate treatment are key to managing the infection and preventing its spread.
The marker "HIV 1/2 4th Gen, RFLX Conf" on a sexually transmitted disease (STD) test panel refers to the fourth-generation testing for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Types 1 and 2, with reflex to confirmatory testing. This advanced testing methodology significantly enhances the early detection of HIV, the virus responsible for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Fourth-generation tests are designed to detect both HIV antigens (specifically, the p24 antigen which appears soon after infection and before antibodies are made) and antibodies (the immune response to the virus). This dual detection approach allows for the identification of acute HIV infections earlier than previous generation tests that only detected antibodies.
The "RFLX Conf" part of the marker indicates that if the initial test is reactive, indicating the possible presence of HIV, the sample will automatically undergo additional confirmatory testing. This typically involves an HIV-1/HIV-2 antibody differentiation immunoassay to confirm the presence of HIV and determine whether it is type 1 or type 2. In some cases, if the differentiation assay is inconclusive, a nucleic acid test (NAT) may be performed to detect the virus's genetic material directly.
The inclusion of this test in STD panels is critical due to the asymptomatic nature of early HIV infection and the significant public health implications of undiagnosed HIV. Early detection through the fourth-generation test allows for timely initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART), which is crucial for managing HIV, reducing the risk of transmission, and improving long-term health outcomes. Additionally, early intervention has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of HIV-related complications and transmission to others, underscoring the importance of including this test in comprehensive STD testing and early intervention strategies.
NOTE: The performance of this assay has not been established for individuals younger than 2 years of age. Nearly all infants born to HIV-infected mothers passively acquire maternal antibody and may test antibody positive until 18 months regardless of infection status. Definitive diagnosis requires other assays, including HIV nucleic acid tests.
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As a PRO member and medical practitioner, Healthmatters.io has been an invaluable tool for tracking my clients' data. The layout is intuitive, making it easy to monitor trends and spot patterns over time. The ability to customize reports and charts helps me present information clearly to my clients, improving communication and outcomes. It's streamlined my workflow, saving me time and providing insights at a glance. Highly recommended for any practitioner looking for a comprehensive and user-friendly solution to track patient labs!
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Anthony
Unlimited Plan Member since 2021
I have been using Healthmatters.io since 2021. I travel all over the world and use different doctors and health facilities. This site has allowed me to consolidate all my various test results over 14 years in one place. And every doctor that I show this to has been impressed. Because with any health professional I talk to, I can pull up historical results in seconds. It is invaluable. Even going back to the same doctor, they usually do not have the historical results from their facility in a graph format. That has been very helpful.
Karin
Advanced Plan Member since 2020
What fantastic service and great, easy-to-follow layouts! I love your website; it makes it so helpful to see patterns in my health data. It's truly a pleasure to use. I only wish the NHS was as organized and quick as Healthmatters.io. You've set a new standard for health tracking!
Paul
Healthmatters Pro Member since 2024
As a PRO member and medical practitioner, Healthmatters.io has been an invaluable tool for tracking my clients' data. The layout is intuitive, making it easy to monitor trends and spot patterns over time. The ability to customize reports and charts helps me present information clearly to my clients, improving communication and outcomes. It's streamlined my workflow, saving me time and providing insights at a glance. Highly recommended for any practitioner looking for a comprehensive and user-friendly solution to track patient labs!
Healthmatters is a highly-personalized health dashboard.
Instead of searching for your lab results in different places or tracking them down from different providers, Healthmatters houses, organizes, and interprets them all in one central location.
With a Healthmatters account, you can dive into the details of each biomarker and gain insights into the meaning behind your medical test data, anytime, anywhere.
For our professional users, Healthmatters provides intuitive tools that not only streamline analysis but also save valuable time when delving into your client's lab report history.
Healthmatters.io personal account provides in-depth research on 4000+ biomarkers, including information and suggestions for test panels such as, but not limited to:
You can combine all test reports inside your Healthmatters account and keep them in one place. It gives you an excellent overview of all your health data. Once you retest, you can add new results and compare them.
If you are still determining whether Healthmatters support your lab results, the rule is that if you can test it, you can upload it to Healthmatters.
While we work with many popular labs, we welcome reports from lots of other places too.
It's as simple as this: if you can get a test done, you can upload it to Healthmatters and we can interpret results from any lab out there. If laboratories can analyze it, we can interpret it.
If you’re on the hunt for a specific biomarker, contact us and we'll add it to our database. Anything from blood, urine, saliva, or stool can be uploaded, understood, and tracked with your Healthmatters account.
There are two ways to add your test reports to your Healthmatters account. One option is to input the data using the data entry forms. The other method is to utilize our "Data entry service."
Our data entry forms offer an easy, fast, and free way for you to input the reports yourself. Self-entry allows you to add an unlimited number of reports at no cost. We make the self-entry process user-friendly, providing dozens of templates that pre-populate the most popular laboratory panels and offering instant feedback on entered values.
For those who prefer assistance, we offer a "Data entry service" to help you input your data. Simply attach an image or file of your lab test results, and a qualified team member from our data entry team will add the results for you.
We support various file types, including PDFs, JPGs, or Excel. This service is particularly useful if you have many reports to upload or if you're too busy to handle the data entry yourself.
Our special data entry service makes it easy to add your results to your private dashboard. Just attach an image or a file of your lab test results, and our skilled data entry team will do the work for you. It's all done by humans, ensuring that your data is entered accurately and with personal care for each client.
Depending on your account, the data entry service can be included for free or come at an additional cost of $15 per report.
For users on the Complete monthly plan, the first report is entered free of charge, and each additional report incurs a fee of $15.
Unlimited account holders enjoy the entry of ten reports without charge. Subsequent reports are subject to a $15 fee per report.
Additionally, users on the Complete plan can upgrade to a yearly subscription from the account settings. The annual subscription includes a data entry service for five reports.
The Unlimited plan is a one-time purchase for $250, and it covers your account for a lifetime with no additional payments.
For the Complete plan, the cost is $15 per month. You have the flexibility to cancel it anytime through your account settings, ensuring no further payments. To avoid charges, remember to cancel at least a day before the renewal date. Once canceled, the subscription remains active until the end of the current billing cycle.
Additionally, you can upgrade to the yearly Advanced plan from within your account. The annual cost is $79, and it comes with a data entry service for five reports.
You can always upgrade to a lifetime version with a prorated price from a monthly or yearly subscription.
Simply log in and navigate to your account settings to cancel your subscription. Scroll down to locate the 'Cancel' button at the bottom of the page. Ensure you cancel at least one day before the renewal date to prevent any charges. Once cancellation is requested, the subscription remains active until the conclusion of the current billing cycle.
Our goal has been to make your Healthmatters account as intuitive as possible.
We’ve crafted multiple ways for you to navigate your data, whether you're glancing at a single report or delving into your historical test reports.
1. Graph View:Dive into a visual journey with our biomarker graphs, showcasing over 40 data points. Combining years of results unveils trends, empowering you to make informed decisions. Our visualization tools make it a breeze to compare and understand changes over time, even if your results are from different labs. A search function and filters simplify the exploration of extensive data, allowing you to focus on what needs attention.
2. All Tests ViewExplore neatly organized reports on a timeline, highlighting crucial details like dates, critical results, and lab/panel names. Each report opens up to reveal in-depth descriptions and additional recommendations for each biomarker. The history of previous results is just a click away, and you can download a comprehensive report for deeper insights. Color-coded and user-friendly, it's designed for easy reading, understanding, and navigation.
3. Table View:For a holistic view of all biomarkers side by side, our table view is your go-to. Results are neatly displayed in a categorized and dated table, ideal for those with an extensive test history. Utilize sorting, filters, and color-coding to enhance your analysis and gain extra insights.
Yes, you can download information from your account. We can compile your labs into a CSV file. To download all your labs, you can go to Account Settings, and at the bottom of the page, you will find a link to download your information.
Yes, you can print your report. To do so, navigate to "All tests" and open the report you wish to print. You'll find a print button in the right corner of the report. Click on it, and your browser's print window will open. If you prefer to print in a bigger typeface, adjust the scale using the print window settings.
Yes, you can! We highly recommend activating Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for your account. To do so, please navigate to the "Profile and Security" section of your account, where you will find instructions for activating 2FA.
Yes, you can. When entering values for the biomarker, you will see an "Edit Range" button. Click this button, and you'll have the option to enter a custom range.
A personal account is all about keeping your own lab test results in check. It's just for you and your personal use.
The professional account is designed for health professionals who wish to track and organize their clients' laboratory results.
To learn more about Healthmatters Pro, please refer to the professional page.
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