Naomi, this is the way it was explained to me:  Years ago, the health care
profession never tested for the virus, because there was thought to be no
cure.  Knowing, would not have prolonged anyone's life.  There was also an
understanding that the virus had a latent phase--which we now know is not
true.  My professor explained that the initial infection can appear with
flu-like symptoms.  Sooo, if your teenager comes down with the flu, you may
want to ask about risky behaviors.

The quick and dirty is that we now know that we can keep the HIV virus from
developing into the later stages of the disease with drugs like AZT.
(Please email me privately and I can try to explain how that works).
Pregnant women who take AZT during pregnancy dramatically decrease their
risk of transferring it to the baby.  I've also heard about bloodless c-
sections for these women.

The difference in the two tests is that one tests for the virus, and one
tests for the antibody to the virus.  It may take several months for the
antibodies to show up.  I asked my professor why we test for antibodies
instead of the virus--her guess was that it was due to cost (big gasp!)

I am no expert.  I'm just a student trying to pass pathophysiology--so if
anyone out there knows more about this than I do, please shed some light.

Thank you,
Joyce Coleman, RN, IBCLC

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