How to: HIV Testing

HIV Testing at a Glance

• People may live longer if they know they are infected with HIV and get treatment
• A normal part of health care
• Widely available

Up to 1 out of 4 people who have HIV don't know it. Knowing if you have HIV can be essential to your sexual health. If you know you have HIV, you are more likely to get the care you need to keep from developing AIDS. If you know you don't have HIV, you can learn what you need to do to protect yourself and your partner(s) from getting it.

Testing for HIV has become faster and more convenient. Today, you have many testing options. Here are some of the most common questions we hear people ask about HIV testing. We hope you find the answers helpful.

 

How Do HIV Tests Work?

When someone gets HIV, the body's immune system makes antibodies to try to fight the infection. Most HIV tests available today test for HIV antibodies. If HIV antibodies are present, it means that a person is infected with HIV.

One type of HIV test detects the virus itself. This is called an RNA test. RNA testing is more expensive and much less common than antibody tests. But RNA testing can detect HIV much earlier than antibody tests — in as little as 9 to 11 days after infection.

The Window Period It can take up to three months after you are infected to develop antibodies. This is called the "window period." During the window period, HIV antibody tests may not show that a person has the virus. It is very important to remember that HIV can be passed to other people during the window period. What Kinds of HIV Tests Are Available? Currently, there are several ways to test for HIV. There are blood and oral swab HIV tests. There are also urine tests for HIV, but they are rarely used. Most blood tests involve going to a clinic, having blood drawn, and then going back to the clinic about a week later for the results. Many health care providers now offer rapid HIV testing. A rapid test can use an oral swab or blood from a vein or finger prick. The results take as little as 20 minutes. However, rapid test results that show a person has HIV need to be confirmed with a follow-up test. You can also test for HIV at home using either a blood or oral swab test. Anonymous vs. Confidential Testing In most states you can find clinics that offer "anonymous" or "confidential" HIV tests. It may be important to you to know the difference between those two terms when you choose a clinic for the test. "Confidential" testing means that your name and other identifying information is attached to your test results. The results go in your medical record and may be shared with your insurance company. Otherwise, the results are kept private, just as most medical records are. "Anonymous" testing means that your name is never used — just an ID number. That number is attached to your test results. You get your results by matching the number. Usually the results aren't written down — they are just told to you either over the phone or in person. With anonymous testing, your test results are not part of your medical record. "Anonymous" testing is not available in some states, so when you schedule an appointment, ask if it is available in your state. HIV Testing for Pregnant Women The government recommends that all pregnant women be tested for HIV, as part of their normal prenatal care. If a woman has HIV while pregnant, she can work with her health care provider to help reduce the risk that her baby will have HIV, too. With treatment, less than 2 out of 100 babies born to women who have HIV will be infected. Without treatment, about 25 out of 100 babies will be infected. Remember, you can get all your questions answered here at the New York Doctor's Urgent Care Offices and through our FB and Twitter pages. We're always here to help, 365 days a year! www.nydoctorsurgentcare.com.