While the Western blot has been the most commonly used supplemental test, the immunofluorescence assay IFA may not be quite as reliable as the Western blot, but IFA is less expensive and easier to perform than Western blot. The total cost to perform each IFA is about $25, including $16 for testing reagents. Nonetheless though more costly, confirmed Western blot is the ultimately secure test.

For rapid tests, see http://www.hivdent.org/cdc/cdcnfihorat062000.htm