AIDS in Africa was defined by the World Health Organization in their  Banguie meeting as a combination of fever, persistent cough, diarrhea, and a 10% loss of body weight in two months.  No HIV or any other test is required.   These symptons are also characteristic of malaria, tuberculosis, dysentery, and other indigenous diseases of impoverished lands.  Recognition of the   problem may have been a factor in Kofi Annan's decision to ask for global funding to fight AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. 

The Elisa test for HIV, if available at all in Africa is often only given once.  Elisa is known for false positives, especially for pregnant women. In the UW-Madison hospital, anyone testing  positive on Elisa is immediately given two more Elisa tests. If two of the three are positive, a sample is sent off to an outside lab for a Western blot test.  

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