Can a routine blood test detect HIV infection?
Disease description:
My boyfriend frequently engaged in extramarital affairs, and I have now broken up with him. I’m worried that I may have contracted HIV and would like to get tested at the hospital. Could you please tell me whether a routine blood test can detect HIV?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Jiang Weimin
A complete blood count (CBC) cannot determine whether a person is infected with HIV. The CBC primarily measures hemoglobin levels, white blood cell (WBC) count, platelet count, and WBC differential—none of which include testing for HIV antibodies. HIV infection must be confirmed through specific antibody testing. Typically, an HIV antibody test conducted three months after a high-risk exposure can reliably rule out HIV infection.
