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What is an HIV test? | |
| Where can I go for a HIV test? | ||
| What happens when I go for a test? | ||
| At the clinic ... | ||
| Should I have a HIV test? | ||
This is another name for an HIV antibody test. This is a blood test that looks for the anti bodies to HIV. These are the body`s immune system reacting to the presence of HIV.
If you have been infected with HIV, it can take up to three months for the immune system to produce enough antibodies to show up on an HIV test. This gap is often called the window period.
During this period, there is enough virus present in your affected body fluids to infect another person.
The best pace to go for an HIV test is a GUM (genito urinary medicine) clinicrun by the Health Authority. GUM clinics are there for the diagnoses and treatment of sexually transmitted infections.
Advisors there can also discuss issues such as ...
Whether or not to use condoms
with a regular partner.
All information gathered is confidential to the clinic. You do not have to tell the clinic who your GP is and they will not contact your GP if you do not want them to. You can use any GUM clinic, inside or outside your area of residence and you don`t need to be referred by your GP.
Before you go for an HIV test, check with the person who makes the appointment if it has a same day results service, or if you will have to wait to get the results. Also, check that they offer counselling before and after the test, as this will give you a space to discuss the test, in confidence, with an appropriate member of staff such as a health advisor. Remember, you can change your mind at any time.
You will be asked for your name and address and the name of your GP. If you are worried about confidentiality you can always give a false name, but remember what name you give as you will be asked for it next time you go. After this you will be given a computer number to protect your confidentiality.
You will see a doctor or health advisor who will give you information about the test. They may also ask you questions about your sex life; any drug use and why you feel you would like an HIV test.
If you decide to take the test, a nurse will then take a sample of blood to send for analysis. If the test finds the antibodies to HIV, you will be told that you are HIV antibody positive or HIV positive. What this means is that you have a HIV infection. It does not mean that you have AIDS. An appointment will be made for you to see a doctor so that you can have full medical check up.
The HIV test cannot tell you if you are going to become ill or what will happen in the future.
This is one of those decisions in life that you have to make for yourself. Before deciding to have a test, you need to consider all the issues.
These include:
