Some experts recommend that everyone who is sexually active be tested for HIV so
people who are infected will be diagnosed early. That way, they can get the most
benefits from treatment. They also can take steps to avoid spreading the disease to
others. For example, a woman who tests positive for HIV during a pregnancy can take
medication to help prevent her baby from becoming infected. Or, a man who thought he
was HIV negative but finds out he is infected can take steps to avoid infecting his
sex partner.
Also consider getting tested if you have ever used a needle to shoot drugs. For more details, see the section "Should you get tested?"
The decision to get tested for HIV is not an easy one. The information in this lesson
can help you decide whether you should make that choice.  | What does the test measure? | | The HIV test is designed to determine whether you have been infected with HIV. HIV is
the virus that causes AIDS. When you get infected with HIV, your body produces cells and particles to fight the
virus. These particles are called antibodies. The HIV test can detect antibodies to
HIV in your body. (The HIV antibodies are different from antibodies for the flu, a
cold, or other infections.) If you have HIV antibodies, then you have been infected
with HIV. The test does not tell you if you have AIDS, how long you have been infected, or how
sick you might be. |
| What does the test involve? | | The HIV test detects antibodies to HIV. It requires a sample of blood or fluid from inside the mouth. For the blood test, blood is drawn either from the arm or from the finger with a
needlestick. Results from oral-fluid or blood tests usually take 1 to 2 weeks. For the oral-fluid test (called OraSure), a probe that looks like a toothbrush sits in
your mouth between your cheek and gums for about 4 minutes. However, there are now rapid tests for both oral fluid and blood that give results in
less than 30 minutes. Rapid tests require special handling, and not every VA medical center or clinic offers them. What's more, positive results from rapid tests must be confirmed
by another, more sensitive, test--and getting those results can take 1-2 weeks. A
negative result from the rapid test does not need to be confirmed. (For more information, see HIV Rapid Oral Test brochure (http://www.hiv.va.gov/pdf/va02-pt/rapid-test.pdf)
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| What is a window period? | |
The window period is the time it takes for your body to produce HIV antibodies after you have been infected by the virus. In most people, this period is between 2 and 12 weeks. In a very small number of people, the process takes up to 6 months.
During the window period, you might be infected with HIV yet still test HIV-negative.
Here's how that can happen. Let's say you have unprotected sex on Saturday night and become infected with HIV. On Monday, you get an HIV test. The test almost certainly will come back negative, because your body has not yet had a chance to make antibodies, which are what the HIV test is looking for.
Even if you go for an HIV test 1 or 2 months later, your results might be negative because your body still has not produced antibodies. It may take 3 months after exposure for the test results to be 97% accurate, and 6 months to be absolutely certain.
If you think you have been exposed to HIV, and your test results are negative, be sure to get retested in 3 to 6 months--just to be sure.
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| Should you get tested? | | If you can answer "yes" to any of the following questions, you should consider
getting tested: - Have you ever had "unprotected" oral, vaginal, or anal sex (sex without a
condom or other latex barrier)?
- Have you ever had sex with someone who was an IV drug user or had HIV?
- Have you ever had a sexually transmitted disease (STD) such as herpes,
chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, or hepatitis?
- Have you ever had an unplanned pregnancy?
- Have you ever been sexually assaulted (raped, forced or talked into having sex
when you didn't want to)?
- Have you ever passed out or forgotten what happened after you were drinking or
getting high?
- Have you ever shared needles or other equipment to inject drugs or pierce the
skin, such as tattooing?
- Have you ever received a blood transfusion? (The risk is very low in the
United States, but can vary in other countries.)
- Did your mother have HIV when you were born, or did she die of AIDS?
It's also okay to get tested if you just want to know your status. In fact, the U.S. federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that everyone get HIV tested routinely, regardless of risk status.
If you feel uncomfortable telling a provider about your past sexual or drug use behaviors, just tell someone in the VA that you are concerned and want to get tested. And keep in mind: the VA is not the military. You won't lose your VA benefits just because you engage in certain drug or sexual behaviors.
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| When should you get tested? | | If you are worried that you might have been exposed to HIV, you naturally will want
to get tested as soon as possible. What should you do?
If you think you have been exposed to HIV, talk to your VA health care provider or a counselor about when you should be tested. For example, if you had unprotected sex with someone who is HIV positive, or the condom broke while you were having sex with someone who is HIV positive, see a doctor right away. The doctor may be able to perform a different kind of test called a polymerase chain reaction (commonly called PCR) test that can detect actual virus in the blood--not the antibodies to the virus. The PCR test can show up positive sooner than the standard test, even during the "window period."
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| Where can you get tested? | |
Any veteran can be tested for HIV at any VA Medical Center or community-based clinic. HIV testing in the VA is confidential. This means that your test result will be entered into your medical record. However, there are strict laws in VA to protect the confidentiality of your HIV test results.
| Do you need an appointment? | | You may or may not need an appointment to get tested at your local VA Medical Center, as different sites may have different practices. In VA, all testing for HIV requires the written informed consent of the veteran. Your provider will need to provide pre-test counseling to give you basic information about the testing process and to answer any questions that you may have about HIV or the test itself. |
| Must you answer personal questions? | | The health care provider may want to discuss your sexual or drug use history with you. This can help you better assess your risk for HIV and provide you with some recommendations on how to reduce your risk for HIV or for transmitting HIV to others. If you test positive, your spouse is informed of your HIV status only if it is clear that you have not told your spouse, and your provider has determined that you are unlikely to do so. Then your provider may notify your spouse or may use a partner counseling and notification service through a local health department.
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| Is there counseling? | | It's important to get counseling when you are tested for HIV. As part of the HIV testing process in VA, a health care provider will talk with you and explain the testing process, answer your questions about HIV, and address other concerns you might have. The provider or a counselor also can answer questions and offer advice about reducing your risk for HIV.
At your return appointment, a health care provider or counselor will provide you with your test result and answer any questions that you may have. If your test result is positive, the provider will help you with a referral for medical evaluation and treatment in VA. If you would like assistance with getting a referral for mental health or substance abuse care in VA as well. If your result is negative, you will learn about ways to protect yourself against HIV.
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| Are results anonymous? | | No, in VA your results are entered in your medical record. Anonymous testing means you are referred to by an identification number so that you do not have to give your name. This is a good option if you are concerned about others finding out about your decision to get tested. Only you can match your number with your test result. If you want more information about where you can be tested anonymously, you can call 1-800-CDC-INFO. |
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| You just tested negative--now what? | | Testing negative for HIV can be a huge relief. You have made an important choice to take care of yourself by getting tested. You should be proud of that. Remember, though, it can take up to 6 months to test positive for HIV after being exposed. This is called the "window period." To be completely sure that you do not have HIV, you should get tested again in 3 to 6 months, and continue to protect yourself in the meantime. Testing negative for HIV does not mean that you are immune to the virus, so it is important to continue protecting yourself. Don't get discouraged or give up if you slip (by having unsafe sex or sharing needles). There are several things you can do to keep protecting your health, now that you know
you are negative: - If you do not already see a doctor regularly, start now. It is always a good idea to have regular checkups, and your doctor will have a medical history of your health to refer to if you get sick.
- Ask for support in staying HIV negative. There are support services that can help you stick to your decision to stay safe. Your health care provider and/or the clinic social worker should have a list of such service providers.
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| You just tested positive--now what? | | A positive HIV test does not equal death: It means you need to take care of yourself to stay healthy. Many people who have been infected since the 1980s are alive today, living healthy and productive lives. The most important things you can do right now are: - Start seeing a doctor or other health care provider. The VA is the nation's largest provider of HIV care and makes available to its patients all FDA-approved medications for the treatment of HIV and AIDS.
- Make sure you show up at your medical appointments.
- Stay in close contact with your health care provider. Explain how you feel and
what you're going through.
- Follow your doctor's instructions about lifestyle, diet and nutrition, and
treatment.
- Learn about HIV disease and how to take care of yourself.
- Ask for help or support.
- Now, read the section called Just
Diagnosed. (http://www.hiv.va.gov/diag-00-00)
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