Description
Why It’s Done (Purpose):
1. Confirm HIV Infection:
o It verifies a positive HIV screening test (like ELISA) to avoid false positives.
2. Differentiate Between HIV-1 and HIV-2:
o It can help distinguish whether the antibodies are specific to HIV-1, HIV-2, or both, which can affect treatment decisions.
3. Legal and Medical Documentation:
o Used in certain legal, medical, or immigration settings to document HIV status.
Note: As of recent guidelines (e.g., CDC in the U.S.), Western blot has largely been replaced by newer confirmatory methods like HIV-1/HIV-2 differentiation immunoassays and nucleic acid tests (NATs) because of greater speed and accuracy.
Preparation Guidelines:
• No special preparation is needed.
• Fasting is not required.
• A blood sample is drawn from a vein.
• Inform your doctor about:
o Any recent possible exposure to HIV.
o Use of antiretroviral medications, PrEP, or PEP, which may affect test sensitivity.


