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Rapid tests
Rapid HIV tests are widely used in resource-limited settings. The need for immediate HIV test results to make treatment decisions and to assist with prevention strategies portends their increased use in developed countries as well. Rapid HIV tests demonstrate sensitivities and specificities comparable to those of enzyme-linked immunoassays (ELISAs) currently used for screening. Algorithms comprised of a combination of two or more rapid tests produce HIV test results with predictive values comparable to those of the ELISA-Western blot combination. Rapid HIV tests offer additional advantages of low cost and same-day results and are likely to gain increasing acceptance for HIV screening and diagnosis in both developed and developing countries.