Getting tested for HIV is a compassionate approach to personal and relationship health. Whether you are entering a new relationship or you are uncertain about past exposure, simple and painless HIV testing options are available. The type of test that is right for each person will vary according to local availability, how soon results are desired and personal preference.
History
HIV was discovered in 1982, following research in response to a number of people in the United States suffering from rare diseases with unidentified causes. Although preventable, HIV infection is now considered an epidemic by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Despite life-extending medical advances for people with HIV, a cure has not been found and AIDS still ends life prematurely, making testing imperative for those who have been sexually active or injected drugs.
Test Timing
According to the American Social Health Association, testing three months or later after possible exposure to HIV provides highly accurate test results. It is rare for the body to take more than 90 days to create a sufficient number of HIV antibodies to be detected by the test. In fact, the average person's HIV status, either negative or positive, will show about 25 days after exposure. Consequently, HIV tests are more accurately described as HIV antibody tests. For this reason, fluids not shown to transmit HIV such as urine and saliva without blood can be used for HIV tests.
Risk Factors
The most common adult and young adult behavioral risks for becoming infected with HIV include sex without condoms and the sharing of contaminated tools to inject drugs. Only blood, genital fluids, rectal mucous and breast milk transmit HIV, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
By Needle
A relatively pain-free way to get an HIV blood test is by thumb prick. A small device is used to prick the thumb for a tiny droplet of blood. The rapid test version provides results within 20 minutes. HIV tests are often performed using a needle and syringe to collect a small amount of blood, with test results available a week or two later. The Home Access Health Corporation makes the only FDA-approved home test kit for HIV, known as both the Home Access HIV-1 Test System and the Home Access Express HIV-1 Test System." Available at pharmacies and online, a thumb prick test is self-administered and mailed to the laboratory. Results are then available both confidentially and anonymously by phone.
Orally
Welcomed by those who fear needles, oral HIV tests are pain-free. The firm and salty tasting oral swab is about the size of the bristles on a tooth brush. Simple instructions are given on how to briefly swab between your gum and cheek. Unlike conventional oral tests, oral HIV test results can be determined within 20 minutes.
Confidential or Anonymous
Confidential testing records go into your medical record, where they are protected and shared with a patient's insurance, like any other medical information. In contrast, anonymous testing collects no information that would allow identification of the person taking the HIV test. When scheduling an HIV test, it is easy to inquire into which level of privacy is offered.
Finding a Testing Location
Type a zip code into the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National HIV and STD Testing Resources website. Results can be narrowed by test type, such as rapid testing, as well as by free testing. Using the same service, test sites are also available by calling 800-458-5231. Results can be narrowed by test type, such as rapid testing, as well as by free testing. Learning about personal HIV status has never been easier to locate and simpler to perform, increasing timely test results. Taking an HIV test makes good sense given that a negative test result may be just the impetus needed to make safer choices.
References
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Where Did HIV Come From?
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: HIV/AIDS Basics, How Do You Get HIV or AIDS? The Future of HIV
- OraSure Products: Infectious Disease Testing
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Testing Yourself for HIV-1, Questions and Answers
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: HIV/AIDS Basics, Confidential & Anonymous Testing
