United States Department of Veterans Affairs
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
National HIV/AIDS Program
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Just Diagnosed

Understand your diagnosis

When your doctor tells you that you are HIV positive, it means that you have been infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The HIV test does not tell you if you have AIDS or how long you have been infected or how sick you might be.

Soon after your diagnosis, your doctor will run other tests to determine your overall health, and the condition of your immune system. For descriptions of these tests, go to "Understanding Laboratory Tests."