Screening is mandated for immigrants entering the United States, Foreign Service personnel, and inmates of Federal prisons. Two types of blood tests are commonly used to detect HIV infection. To confirm, the presence of HIV infection, the Western Blot is used. The test is more specific and more expensive. A needle is inserted into a vein, usually in your forearm.
Blood is drawn and collected in a tube, which is then sent to a laboratory for testing.
However, urine testing for HIV antibodies is not as sensitive or specific as blood testing. Oral fluid tests, in which oral fluids are collected from the inside of the mouth, are also offered at many clinics and HIV testing locations. If a person tests positive on an oral fluid test, blood tests would then be used to confirm HIV infection. A rapid test for detecting HIV antibodies is a screening test that produces very quick results, usually in 5 to 30 minutes. Anonymous testing means that you never give your name to anyone at the clinic and there is no record of your test results.