Initial test for HIV?

• A. ELISA
• B. Western Blot
• C. PCR
• D. Rapid Antibody Test

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that initial HIV testing is a screening step chosen for high sensitivity so most true infections are caught. The ELISA is a lab-based assay that detects antibodies to HIV and can process many samples efficiently, making it a reliable first-line screen. Because screening tests can yield false positives, a positive ELISA is followed by a confirmatory test (such as Western blot) to establish true infection.

PCR looks for viral RNA and is not used as a routine initial screen due to cost and practicality; it’s more about identifying acute infection or monitoring viral load. A rapid antibody test can be used at the point of care, but in standard practice the traditional initial screen is the ELISA, with confirmatory testing to verify any positive result.