HIV Testing

 

Taking the Test

For some, considering an HIV test can be a scary process. However, taking the HIV test is one of the best ways to fight HIV/AIDS. If you find out that you have HIV, it can be an important step toward taking care of your health and planning for the future. Learning that you are HIV negative, too, can help you figure out how to stay that way. It is best to take the test in a situation where the test is voluntary and where counseling is offered before and after the test.

How does the HIV test work?
When HIV enters the blood, the body reacts by making cells called antibodies. Most HIV tests look for these antibodies and not the virus itself. It can take the body up to three months to make enough antibodies to be detectable on the test, but most people will create enough antibodies in just 4 weeks after infection. We call this 4 week to 3 month time frame the window period.

During the window period, the HIV test may not be able to detect infection. There is a test, called a PCR, that detects HIV itself (it looks for the virus and not the antibodies) within 3-7 days after exposure, but this test is not currently approved as a way to diagnose HIV infection. It can also be very expensive and is not offered at most testing facilities.

There are also "home tests" available over the counter in some states. These tests ask you to take blood from your finger with a lancet that they provide. You are then asked to send your blood sample into a lab. They don't use your name, and only offer counseling over the phone. BEWARE — the only home test that has been approved for use in the United States is called Home Access. For more information you can visit their website at www.homeaccess.com or call the GMHC HIV/AIDS Hotline at 800.243.7692.

Types of Tests
Today, there are several types of HIV tests. The most commonly used antibody tests are all considered better than 99% effective at detecting the antibodies to HIV. There are other types of tests not listed that use blood or urine to detect antibodies to HIV. There is also the "home test" option" noted above.<br>

 

Rapid HIV Test

This means the result of your HIV test will be ready before you leave. The rapid test we use at Evergreen Health Services is the Uni-Gold Recombigen test kit manufactured by Trinity Biotech. This test uses a small about of blood taken from a tiny finger prick. The results of this test are ready in just 10 minutes. For more information this quick reference guide is provided by the manufacturer: http://www.unigoldhiv.com/unigold_quickref.pdf
If the test is reactive this considered a preliminary positive. Although this test is extremely accurate, guidelines suggest that a second test be done to confirm the results of a preliminary positive. For this we use Clearview Complete HIV ½ dried blood spot test. The blood is collected from a finger prick and sent to a lab. The results of this test are available in about 2 weeks. More information is available by clicking here http://www.invernessmedicalpd.com/pdf/Clearview%20COMPLETE%20HIV1-2%20PI_05901.03.pdf

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Some tips in preparing to take the HIV test:

  • Try to identify people — family, friends, a teacher you trust, a health care professional, a member of your spiritual community — that you can talk to openly before you take the test. They might even be willing to go with you to the test site for support.

  • Think about what you will do if you test negative, as well as what you will do if you test positive. Do you feel ready for either result? If you find out you are negative, how can you stay that way? If you test positive, how will you use that information to take care of your health and that of your partners?

What about treatment?
People with HIV or AIDS can do a number of things to stay healthy — but only if they know they are infected. The most important thing to know is that treatments are now available, often at low cost, which can prevent AIDS-related illnesses. There are also several treatments that help fight the virus itself. And there is a test, called a "viral load" test that can tell you how much virus is in your blood. Knowing this can help you and your doctor decide what kind of treatment to try. Many treatments are covered by health insurance. If you can't afford health insurance and are HIV positive, there is a program called the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) to help you get medications for free, although what ADAP covers varies from state to state.