What are the functions of nucleic acid testing

In recent years, as people's minds have become increasingly open, some sexually transmitted diseases have shown an increasing trend. For example, AIDS and various sexually transmitted diseases have brought pain and adverse effects to many patients and may even be life-threatening. Therefore, prevention of infectious diseases is of top priority. For AIDS, nucleic acid testing has far-reaching significance. Let’s take a look at the role of nucleic acid testing.

The significance of HIV nucleic acid testing

Some people think that since AIDS cannot be cured, it is useless to detect it and are unwilling to undergo nucleic acid testing. In fact, early diagnosis and early treatment are not only beneficial in delaying the progression of the disease and improving the quality of life, but also can protect others from infection in a timely manner, which is conducive to the control of AIDS.

1. Solve the “window period” problem of HIV infection

The original HIV immunological detection methods all have a certain window period. After the HIV virus enters the human body, it takes some time for the body to produce antibodies. During this period, the blood antibody test is negative. Antigen antibodies can usually only be detected 3-6 weeks after infection, which takes a long time and the accuracy is greatly reduced. Although HIV antibodies cannot be detected during the window period, HIV is already in the body, so the body is still contagious during the window period.

2. Early detection and early drug prevention can reduce the chance of infection

HIV nucleic acid testing can detect infection early. Timely injection of immunoglobulin to inhibit HIV within two weeks of HIV invasion can reduce the chance of infection.

The AIDS virus is a retrovirus. After invading the host cell, a retrovirus uses its own single-stranded RNA as a template and synthesizes cDNA under the action of reverse transcriptase according to the principle of base complementary pairing. The newly synthesized cDNA is inserted into the host's nuclear DNA and amplifies the virus along with the host DNA replication, transcription, and translation. Immunoglobulin is a reverse transcription inhibitor, which is a drug that prevents HIV from reverse transcribing the host's DNA. Timely detection and early treatment can reduce the chance of infection, enhance the body's specific cellular and humoral immune response to HIV, shorten the half-life of latent infection, maintain the function of CD4+ cells, and slow the progression of AIDS.

3. Quickly check for infection risks and relieve psychological pressure of AIDS fear

In recent years, with the rapid development of AIDS, many people have suffered from AIDS phobia. Fear is an instinctive reaction of human beings. Moderate fear is beneficial to human survival, but unnecessary and excessive fear is harmful and a psychological abnormality.

AIDS phobia is such a psychological abnormality, which includes the following situations: unnecessary and excessive worry about contracting AIDS, or unfounded suspicion that one is infected with AIDS. Patients also have some abnormal emotions and behaviors, which seriously affect their study, work, life and social interactions.