Article updated and reviewed by Cyrus Badshah, MD PhD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University; Assitant Attending Physician, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases & Medical Director, Chest (TB)Clinic and Directly Observed Therapy Program, Harlem Hospital Center on April 18, 2005.

HIV testing is performed to detect antibodies (proteins made by the human body) against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which...