What is the test looking for?
The HIV test is designed to find antibodies to HIV in your blood or saliva. Antibodies are "fighter cells" produced by your body when you have an infection. If you are infected with HIV, your body makes very specific antibodies to fight the infection. The HIV antibodies are different from antibodies for the flu, hepatitis, or other infections. If you have HIV antibodies, then you have been infected with HIV. (The only exception to this applies to infants born to HIV-infected mothers; infants can receive HIV antibodies from their infected mothers that stay in their system for as long as 18 months.)
The HIV test does not tell you if you have AIDS or how long you have been infected or how sick you might be. It just tells you that you are infected with the virus. (There are now tests that will tell you whether you were infected with HIV during the last 6 months; these tests may not be available in your area.)
The window period
The window period is the time it takes for your body to produce HIV antibodies after you have been exposed to HIV. In over 99% of people, this period is between 2 to 12 weeks. In a very small number of people, the process takes up to 6 months. If you think you may have been exposed to HIV recently, talk to a counselor or health care provider about when you should be tested.
The window period causes a lot of confusion. Here's an example: Let's say someone had unprotected sex on Saturday night. On Monday, he goes to get an HIV test. The test will almost certainly come back negative, even if he was infected with HIV on Saturday night, because his body has not yet had a chance to make antibodies. Even if he went for an HIV test one or two months later, he might still get a negative result even if he had been infected on that Saturday night; again, the reason is because he has not yet produced antibodies, which are what the HIV test is looking for.
If you are worried about something that happened that may have exposed you to HIV, you naturally will want to get tested as soon as possible. A good strategy would be to go back for a test 3 months after your possible exposure; the result you get after 3 months will be 99% certain.
VCT and special testing sites
Testing sites are either confidential or anonymous. At a VCT center you are given a identification number so that you do not have to give your name. This is a good option for someone who is concerned about others finding out about their decision to get tested because only you can match your number with your test result.
Some testing sites offer hours when you can drop in to get tested. If it is a drop-in clinic, clients are seen in order of arrival; therefore, you may have to wait for a little while. For appointment clinics, you can call the testing site to schedule a time for counseling and testing. VCT sites are often more convenient as testing is done within minutes of your arrival provided that clients are not many. It is also advisable and quite in order for one to get tested together with their partner or spouse.
Most sites use a client questionnaire to collect some information about you like your ethnicity, sexual orientation, sexual activity, substance use, and whether you have ever had an HIV test before.
Before the test, you will talk with a counselor who explains the testing process, answers your questions about HIV, and addresses any other concerns you have. The counselor can also answer questions and offer advice about reducing your risk for HIV.
A lot of testing sites use a small blood sample to test for HIV. There is another test called Orasure that uses saliva. With this test, a probe that looks like a toothbrush sits in your mouth against your cheek for about 4 minutes, absorbing your saliva. Results for the blood or saliva test take 3-7 days. There is a new type of test called a "rapid test" where you can receive the results in less than 30 minutes. In the rapid test, clinic or VCT staff prick your finger with a needle and take a few drops of your blood. Whether you receive counseling with the rapid test depends a lot on where the test is given. If you are offered the test in an emergency room of a hospital, for instance, the staff may not have the time or training to give you much counseling.
A counselor will give you your results and answer questions. If your test results are positive, they will give you referrals for physical and mental health care, and other services you may need. If your results are negative, they can discuss ways to protect yourself against HIV in the future.
Regular clinic or doctor's office:
If you take the test from your regular clinic or doctor's office, you may not receive the same amount of counseling as from a special HIV test site. However, you may be able to make an appointment at a more convenient time and not have to wait. You may want to weigh your comfort level with your doctor or regular clinic against the more specialized counseling and referrals you would receive at a special HIV test site. You may also want to consider the availability of anonymous testing at a regular clinic or doctor's office.
