What Is HIV?
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). HIV weakens a your immune system, reducing your ability to fight infections and cancers.
You can get HIV by coming into contact with an infected person’s body fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluids, breast milk). HIV can be spread through:
- Vaginal, oral, or anal sex
- Sharing unclean needles to take drugs
- Pregnancy (from an infected mother to baby)
- Blood transfusions (since 1985, blood donations have been routinely tested for HIV, so infection from blood transfusions is rare)
There are many myths about HIV and AIDS. You can’t get HIV from:
- Touching or hugging someone who has HIV or AIDS
- Public bathrooms or swimming pools
- Sharing cups, utensils, telephones, or other personal items
- Bug bites
How Can I Know if I Have HIV?
There are several types of tests that screen blood (and sometimes saliva) to see if you have HIV.
Newer tests can detect the presence of HIV antigen, a protein, up to 20 days earlier than standard tests. This helps prevent spread of the virus to others and start treatment earlier. It’s done with a pinprick to your finger.
Here’s a look at available HIV tests.
Standard HIV tests
These blood tests check for HIV antibodies. Your body makes antibodies in response to the HIV infection. These tests can’t detect HIV in your blood soon after infection because it takes time for your body to make these antibodies. It generally takes two to eight weeks for your body to produce antibodies, but in some cases, it can take up to six months.
In standard tests, a small sample of your blood is drawn and sent to a lab for testing. Some of the standard tests use urine or fluids that are collected from your mouth to screen for antibodies.
Rapid antibody HIV tests
Most of these are blood tests for HIV antibodies. Some can detect antibodies in your spit. Results are available in under 30 minutes and are as accurate as standard tests. But it can take up to eight weeks (or even longer) for your body to produce antibodies.
Antibody/antigen tests for HIV
These tests can detect HIV up to 20 days earlier than standard tests. They check for HIV antigen, a part of the virus that shows up two to four weeks after infection. These tests can also detect HIV antibodies.
A positive result for the antigen allows treatment to begin earlier and prevents you from accidentally infecting others. These are blood tests only.
In-home HIV test kits
These kits — including two available in the U.S. — screen your blood and saliva for HIV antibodies. You can buy them at your local store.
The Home Access HIV-1 Test System requires a small blood sample that is collected at home and sent to a lab. You can may remain anonymous and get results by phone in three business days. The OraQuick In-Home HIV Test can detect HIV antibodies in your saliva, if the antibodies are present (which can take up to six months).
You’ll swab the upper and lower gums in your mouth, place the sample in a developer vial, and get results in 20-40 minutes. A follow-up test should be done if the result is positive.
Why Should Pregnant Women Be Tested for HIV?
Doctors recommend all pregnant women get tested for HIV. Medications are available to prevent the spread of the virus to your unborn baby. In addition, steps can be taken during delivery to prevent spreading the infection.
Some studies show women can further reduce the risk of spreading the virus to their baby by having a cesarean section before their water breaks, if their viral load is high or unknown. Moreover, your healthcare provider can take steps to help you stay healthy longer.
Is HIV Testing Required?
No. HIV testing is voluntary. Anyone is free to decline testing. Your decision to not get tested, or the test result itself, won’t prevent you from getting healthcare during pregnancy.
Can I Change My Mind About HIV Testing?
Yes. If after giving the blood sample you decide against testing, inform the attending nurse or doctor. People who aren’t hospitalized (outpatients) can withdraw their consent up until they leave the facility. Hospital patients (inpatients) can withdraw their consent up until one hour after the blood sample has been drawn.
What Do the HIV Test Results Mean?
A confirmed, positive test result means you have been infected with HIV. Being infected with HIV doesn’t mean that you have AIDS. It can take many years for people with HIV to develop AIDS. You may never develop it. Most people living with HIV in the US never develop AIDS because of the available medication that stops its progression.
A negative test result means that no signs of HIV infection were found in your blood. A negative test doesn’t always mean that you don’t have HIV. Signs of HIV may not show up in the blood for several months after infection.
For this reason, you should be tested again if you could have been exposed to HIV or are at risk for HIV infection.
What Happens to My HIV Test Results?
Your HIV test results become part of your medical record. Therefore, the results could be disclosed to third-party payers (such as medical insurance companies) and other authorized parties. A positive test result will also be reported to the appropriate health department.
How Can My HIV Test Results Be Kept Confidential?
Though HIV tests performed at most doctors offices become part of the your medical record, there are places you can go that provide confidential HIV testing. These places will perform HIV tests without even taking your name (anonymous testing). An anonymous HIV test does not become part of your medical record.
Should you discover that you have HIV, inform your medical providers so that you can get proper care.
