Sexual Health

HIV Testing

There's a lot to think about before taking an HIV test ...

First off, what is the test and what is it not?

Despite the name the test is actually a test for the antibodies that the body produces in response to infection by the virus, not a test for the virus itself. These antibodies are however powerless to stop infection. It can take the body up to three months after infection with the virus in order to produce these antibodies, so the test will only give a picture of whether infection has occurred at some time up to three months before taking the test.

It is NOT a test for AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome). AIDS is the illness which may develop at some time after becoming infected with the HIV virus.

What do the results mean?

A positive result means that the person has been exposed to and has become infected with the virus. It does NOT mean that they have resistance to the virus, nor does it necessarily mean that they have AIDS.

A negative result means that up to a point 3 months before the test the person has almost certainly not been infected with the virus (a very small number of people may take more than three months to develop antibodies). It does not mean that the person has never been exposed to the virus (or to put it another way having sex with a positive person will not necessarily lead to infection.)

Why do you want to take the test?

It is important to think about why you want to have the test, and how you will handle the result, whether the result is positive or negative.

You may first want to think about whether you have been at risk. While the greatest risk comes from having sex without a condom there are a number of activities which represent a smaller, although not insignificant, degree of risk.

Medical advances in treatment now mean that doctors say that the best chances of someone leading a long and healthy life with HIV are dependent on early identification. Most hospital admissions with HIV are as a result of someone being unaware of their HIV status. By identifying HIV infection early it allows the person greater control over treatment options, and gives the best chances of maintaining a healthy immune system before it becomes too damaged by the HIV virus.

However there may be reasons why you feel that testing is not right at the moment for you. Perhaps you feel that you could not handle the extra stress and complications right now. It may be a decision that you want to return to at a later date. However you will feel a greater sense of control over events if you have thought about it and made a decision to test or not to test, rather than to just drift along without thinking about it.

Where can I get the test and how long will it take?

The test is available from all G.U.M Clinics. For details of the clinics in our area see www.getiton.nhs.uk. You will need to see the health advisor, and it might be a good idea to get a full sexual health check up while you are there, but it's not essential. G.U.M. clinics are confidential places so there is nothing to worry about.

On the first visit the health advisor will take you through some of the issues we've covered here, and will need you to give your 'informed consent' to having the test. After that you will be asked to see the nurse, who will take the blood samples (usually two are taken). The results are usually ready 7-10 days later, although some clinics offer a same day service if you are very concerned. The waiting can be an anxious period, and it is advisable to think about how you would react to a positive result and where you would go to for support.

Very frequent testing might indicate that you are becoming reliant on regular negative tests to prove that you are clear. The test itself will do nothing to protect you and it might be a good idea to think about the sex that you are having.