What are ways to reduce the risk of getting HIV or other STDs?
- Choosing not to have sex, or making an agreement with a partner who is not HIV-positive to be sexually faithful to each other, and sticking to it.
- Using a condom for vaginal or anal sexual intercourse, and barrier methods, such as a condom or dental dam, for oral sex.
- Not sharing needles for injection drug use.
- Getting tested! And asking partners to do the same.
Testing 101
The only way to know for sure whether you have HIV or another STD is to get tested. Many people are nervous about getting tested for HIV or other STDs, especially for the first time. You may worry about finding out the results; you may not know where to go or what to expect; you may not think you can afford it; or you may be anxious about someone finding out. These are all understandable concerns. But think about this:
- Getting a test takes away the anxiety of not knowing.
- Left untreated, STDs, especially HIV, can cause serious health problems.
- Early diagnosis and treatment will help you stay healthy.
- The tests for HIV and other STDs don't take much time, and at some clinics they are free or can be paid for on a sliding scale, based on income.
- Rapid HIV tests that produce results in only a few minutes are increasingly becoming available in more testing locations.
There are advances in the treatment of HIV/AIDS occurring all the time. Already there are medications that allow people living with HIV today to live longer, healthier lives. In other words, a positive test result is not a death sentence. But finding out and getting care is critical. So get tested!
Should I get tested?
If you are concerned that you might have HIV or another STD, or have never been tested, you should discuss your risk with your health care provider. Remember that many STDs show no visible symptoms and the only way to know for sure is to be tested. However, if you notice changes in your genital area or other symptoms of STDs, you should see a health care provider immediately.
To find a local testing center near you-or to talk with a counselor about HIV and other STDs-call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National AIDS Hotline: 1-800-342-AIDS.
How does testing work?
HIV tests detect the antibodies that the body produces to fight HIV once infection has occurred. A positive result means that HIV antibodies are present in the blood. In other words, a person is infected with HIV and can infect others. A negative result means that no HIV antibodies were found in the blood at the time it was drawn. It ordinarily takes three to six months (the window period) for people infected with HIV to develop enough antibodies for HIV to be accurately detected. This may mean that you need to be tested again if you may have been infected during this period.
Many people assume that their provider will test them for STDs or HIV as a part of a routine checkup. But unless you have a direct conversation with your provider about getting tested for HIV and other STDs, you can't be sure you are being tested. HIV testing requires informed consent from the person seeking testing-that means confirmation that he or she wants the test and understands what is involved. So if you have not discussed it, don't assume: Ask!
There are a number of different ways to screen for HIV today, including:
- Standard HIV Blood test. This is the most common means of HIV testing. A health care provider draws a blood sample, which is sent to a lab for screening. Results are generally available within a few days to two weeks, depending on the testing site.
- Rapid HIV test. A Health care provider draws a blood sample, which is processed at the testing location. Currently there are two rapid HIV tests available. Both are approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are commercially available in the United States. Both tests detect antibody to HIV-1 and results can be obtained in as little as 20 minutes. OraQuick ® Rapid HIV-1 Antibody Test (Orasure Technologies) is a rapid, point-of-care fingerstick test designed to detect antibodies to HIV-1. The test requires only a drop of blood. Studies show that the test has an accuracy of 99.6 percent. The Single Use Diagnostic System (SUDS) HIV-1 test (Abbot/Murex) takes longer then the OraQuick test and requires more then a fingerprick of blood. The rapid tests are not available at all testing sites.
- Oral test. Under the supervision of a health care provider, the person getting tested is swabbed with a tiny brush on the inside of his or her mouth and the provider sends the sample to a lab for screening. Results are generally available within a few days to two weeks, depending on the testing site. OraSure is the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved oral fluid HIV test available today. It is not available at all testing sites.
- Home test. This is a self-administered test in which the person getting tested pricks his or her own finger to draw a blood sample and then sends it to a lab for processing along with a personal identification number (no name is used). A trained counselor gives test results over the phone within a few days. Home Access is the only FDA-approved home HIV test. It may be purchased by phone (800-HIV-TEST), on-line (www.homeaccess.com), or over the counter in some drugstores. The average cost for Home Access, which takes about seven days to get results, is $45. Home Access Express, which takes about three days to get results, can be purchased for $55. A positive home test should be confirmed with a test by a health care provider as soon as possible.
- Urine test. The person getting tested provides a urine sample, which the health care provider sends to a lab for screening. Results are generally available within a few days to two weeks, depending on the testing site. Calypte is the only FDA-approved urine HIV test. It is not available at all testing sites.
What does it cost to get tested?
Publicly funded health clinics often offer free testing for HIV and other STDs, regardless of income. Other community health centers may provide these tests with fees based on a sliding scale, meaning the cost is based on income level. Prices at a private health care facility vary. If you have health insurance, the cost of the test(s) may be covered by your insurance, but check with your insurer first. To best assess your risk, your health care provider will likely ask some personal questions that are important in helping provide the best care for you. Come prepared to talk honestly about your sexual history, including sexual experiences, number of partners, methods of protection or contraception used most regularly (or not), and drug use history. You should also mention any bodily changes, including menstrual cycle changes, vaginal or penile discharge, genital discomfort, or genital skin changes.
What should I ask before getting tested?
Ask how the tests will be done and how you will be informed about the results. Ask how much the tests will cost, and if there is a cost, whether your insurance will cover the test. Your health care provider may offer a sliding-scale fee based on income to help with any expenses. And if your provider does not, he or she can suggest a free or low-cost testing center near you. If you are concerned about the privacy of your test and results, ask who will have access to this information and how the results will be recorded in your medical records.
When I get tested, where will that information go?
In the United States, HIV tests are either anonymous or confidential. With an anonymous HIV test, your name is not linked to your test results; you are assigned a number matched to your results. With confidential testing, your name is recorded along with your test results, which may be provided to the state health department for the purpose of tracking the spread of the epidemic. These results may be made available to medical personnel.
If the test is being paid for by your health insurance, then the health insurance company will know that you have been tested, although the results should remain private as part of your confidential medical records. If your health care coverage is provided through your employer, your employer may also have a record of your test.
Those concerned about the privacy of their test and results should discuss ahead of time with their health care provider what kind of test is being provided and confirm directly who will have access to this information.
If I or someone I know tests positive, what are my next steps? What are the treatment options?
For those who test positive for HIV, it is important to talk with a healthcare provider-preferably one who treats HIV-positive patients as a specialty-about what is the most appropriate anti-HIV treatment for them. It is also important to find support and resources within your community. While there is no cure for HIV, new combination drug therapies have been found to be highly effective for some in delaying the onset of AIDS. Additionally, prescribed medications can help to prevent and treat any opportunistic infections (OIs).
Remember, early diagnosis and consistent care from a health care professional are essential to best treat HIV.
Don't know where to get tested?
Find a testing location near you.
For more information about HIV/AIDS, please visit:
KNOW HIV/AIDS: http://www.knowhivaids.org
Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation: http://www.kff.org/sections.cgi?section=hivaids
The content for this website was provided by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation as part of an ongoing public education partnership with VH1 on HIV/AIDS.
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