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HIV Testing and Prevention: HIV Testing Q & A

I am not sure if I have come in contact with the AIDS virus (HIV), but I am worried. Should I take the test?

You may want to take the test if you think that you or your sex partner - or someone you may have shared needle drugs with - has taken part in any of the following unsafe practices:

• During sex you have allowed blood, semen or vaginal fluids of your sex partner to enter your body.
• You or your partner have shared needle drugs with each other, or with someone else.
• You or your partner have had vaginal or anal sex with someone without using a condom. Though it is lower in risk, unprotected oral sex has been documented to transmit HIV.

You can make an appointment with your doctor and have them order a test for you. If you don't have a regular doctor, you can call the HIV Helpline at 565-4620 to find out where you can get a test.

What happens during testing?

There are currently two kinds of tests available, a conventional test or rapid HIV test.

During conventional HIV test, a health care worker collects either a blood or oral sample and sends it to a lab for processing. The results come back in one to two weeks. Results are given in person and are not given over the phone. This is the most common form of testing in Sonoma County.

During a rapid HIV test, a health care worker collects a blood or oral sample and processes the test during your visit. The results are ready in about 20 minutes. You will get your test result before you leave. If the rapid test comes back positive, a conventional test must be run to confirm the rapid test result.

When you receive your results, counseling is provided to help you understand what the results mean, and to learn how to prevent the spread of HIV.

Thinking about the test upsets me. I don't think I can deal with knowing that I have the virus.

If you think that dealing with the knowledge that you might test positive is more difficult than dealing with the worry of not knowing at all, you might consider not taking the test. In this case, you should always use safe practices as outlined below and DO NOT PUT YOURSELF OR OTHERS AT RISK!

If you have the virus, the sooner you know, the sooner you can do something about it. If you wait until you get sick, the more difficult it will be to treat the illness.

What if my test is positive?

If you are told that your test is positive, this means that your blood carries the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies. This means that you have been infected with the virus, and if you are not careful you can give the virus to other people. HIV causes AIDS. Just because you carry the HIV antibodies does not mean that you will develop AIDS and get sick. It is not possible to say just how the disease will affect you in the years to come. Some people will get AIDS, and some may not get AIDS. New treatments are available which keep HIV infected persons healthy longer. See your health care provider for more information or call (707) 565-7400 for an appointment with The Center for HIV Prevention and Care.

If my test is negative, does that mean I have nothing to worry about?

Just because you have tested negative does not mean that you do not have to be careful, and possibly make some changes is your life. You are probably considering taking the test because you thought that you may have caught the virus. If you learn that you are negative, you have the opportunity to change your unsafe practices and not have to worry ever again about catching HIV from someone else. Visit our Prevention Support page learn about prevention programs available through The Center.

A negative test result could also mean that you have been infected but your body has not yet developed a reaction to the virus, that can be detected by the test. If you have practiced unsafe behavior, or think you may be infected with HIV, you should take the test again in six months from your last unsafe experience.

For more information, or to arrange for a test, you can:

• Call the HIV Helpline at 707-565-4620.
• Call the Northern California Hotline at 1-800-367-2437 (1-415-864-6606 hearing impaired/TDD).