Q: What is HIV provirus DNA test by PCR?

A:The usual tests for HIV such as the ELISA or rapid tests depend upon finding HIV antibodies that have been produced in response to the infection by the virus. It takes time for the antibodies to develop and therefore the test is only reliable after the window period. The PCR based tests look for evidence of the antigen or virus itself. They are more complex and expensive but they can give accurate results without waiting for the window period.