How Does HIV Testing Work if Antibodies Vary Due to Viral Mutations?
Context This question explores the challenge of developing an HIV vaccine due to the virus's high mutation rate and investigates how HIV testing works despite the variability in viral antigens. It inquires about the potential for undetectable HIV strains due to antibody differences caused by mutations. Simple Answer HIV testing looks for antibodies, not the virus itself. Antibodies are proteins your body makes to fight off infections. These antibodies are specific to certain parts of the virus, called antigens. While HIV mutates, the key antigens it uses to infect cells generally stay the same. This means tests can detect antibodies against these unchanging parts of the virus. Detailed Answer HIV testing, unlike a vaccine, does not aim to directly prevent infection. Instead, it focuses on detecting the presence of antibodies produced by the body's immune system in response to the HIV virus. These antibodies are specific to certain parts of the virus, known as antigens, and thei...