This is obtained by drawing blood from a vein in the forearm or the hand. To do this, the skin over the vein is cleaned with an antiseptic. Next, a strong rubber tube, or tourniquet, is wrapped around the upper arm. This enlarges the veins in the lower arm by restricting blood flow through them. A very thin needle is gently inserted into a vein and the tourniquet is removed.
Blood flows from the vein through the needle and is collected in a syringe or vial.
The sample collected is then sent to the lab to be analyzed. After the needle is withdrawn, the puncture site is covered for a short time to prevent bleeding. A person having this test should receive instructions from a healthcare provider on how to properly prepare. The HIV testing process can be the cause of much stress and concern. For this reason, some healthcare providers may recommend counseling.