What is the HIV test like?

There are several types of HIV tests available today. Some of these tests require a small finger prick while others require a mouth swab. Tests commonly used in Arizona are refered to as "rapid test" where results are available in as little as 15 minutes. These brands include Orasure, Oraquick, Unigold, Clearview. Regardless of the brand used, the procedure is fast and painless.

You may ask about what kind of test is used when you make your appointment with a testing site, or call ahead before you drop in.

When you go to your testing appointment, you will have the opportunity to talk to a trained staff person before the test is done. At this time, the staff person may ask you some questions or ask you to fill out a form. Any information that you provide will be confidential. This is also your chance to ask questions.

The staff person will give you some information and answer any questions you may have before and after you receive your results. You may want information on who to talk to about your results, or where to go for medical or other services. Even if you don’t want services now, it’s a good idea to take some information with you, in case you decide that you want services in the future.

Results of a rapid test will be given to you as reactive or non-reactive. Reactive means the anti-body associated with HIV is present in your bodily fluids. A reactive result is always considered preliminary. Non-reactive means no anti-body associated with HIV was detected. Keep in mind HIV has a period of time after exposure where it is not detectable by standard testing. This is known as the window period.

When an individual gets a reactive result, a confirmatory test is required. The staff person administering your rapid test will assit you in setting up an appointment with a medical center or lab to obtain a confirmatory HIV test.

 

Why should I get tested?

One of the most basic truths about HIV is that gender, age, race and economic status are irrelevant when it comes to vulnerability to HIV. Anyone can become infected. At present, there is no cure for HIV/AIDS, but there are medications that have proven very effective in keeping HIV-positive people alive, longer and healthier.

Knowing your accurate HIV status through testing is essential to good health and long life.

Many people avoid getting tested even though they think they might have HIV because they’re afraid of finding out that they do have it. It’s easy to believe that we’re not HIV-positive as long as we haven’t been tested. But living with HIV and not knowing it puts you and those closest to you at very high risk for many health-related issues.

If you are HIV-positive, you can get access to a doctor who is knowledgeable about the virus and who can help you to stay healthy. Also, the longer HIV goes undiagnosed and untreated, the higher the risk of transmission.

For most people who know that they’re at risk for HIV, just thinking about it is stressful. Many people deny that they’re even at risk. The denial, stress and guilt associated with HIV can be combated through counseling and support available through AIDS service organizations.

If you find out that you don’t have HIV, the next step is to come up with ways to reduce your risk of contracting HIV in the future. You may also want to seek counseling and support. If you and your partner tested together and found out that one of you has HIV and the other doesn’t, you can look into resources available for sero-discordant couples.

Start by contacting MSHAPE.

 

Reasons for testing:

• The sooner you know, the sooner you can get treatment. The sooner you get treatment, the better chance you’ll have to reduce the progression of the virus in your body. For some good advice on choosing a doctor and talking to your doctor, contact SAAF.
• The sooner you know, the sooner you can get services. There are many services available to people living with HIV/AIDS in Arizona, and many of them are free. Services available throughout Arizona include case management, peer counseling, medical services, housing, mental health services, substance abuse counseling, legal services, support groups, and more.
• Confidentiality. No one other than you needs to know your HIV status. Anonymous and confidential testing is available throughout Arizona. Call one of the testing sites near you to find out about testing.
• Peace of mind. Some people living with HIV say that they were actually relieved to finally know for sure that they have HIV, because they were able to stop worrying about it and start dealing with the diagnosis. While finding out that you have HIV/AIDS is never an easy thing to go through, there are hundreds of people working all over Arizona who are trained to help you.
• Peace of mind. Some people living with HIV say that they were actually relieved to finally know for sure that they have HIV, because they were able to stop worrying about it and start dealing with the diagnosis. While finding out that you have HIV/AIDS is never an easy thing to go through, there are hundreds of people working all over Arizona who are trained to help you.
• If you do become sick then you may be treated differently if you are known to have HIV. For instance, if you go to your doctor with a chest problem they may take it more seriously if they know that you have HIV.
• If you know you have HIV, there are things that you can do to protect yourself, your health and your partners. For instance you may choose to have different types of sex that are less likely to put your sexual partner(s) at risk. Using condoms to avoid getting other STDs, or it might mean taking steps to keep your mind, body and immune system healthy.

 

What is the difference between confidential and anonymous testing?

In short:

Confidential testing: Your name is attached to your results, but your results are protected by law. If you test positive for HIV, this information will only be passed on to the County Health Department and the Arizona Department of Health Services. Your neighbors, family, employer, and so on will not have access to your results. SAAF and Pima County offer confidential testing.

Anonymous testing: Your name is not attached to your test results. You are given a number to use, and no one other than you will find out what your test results are.

In full:

The following information is from the State of Arizona. It provides a detailed description of confidential and anonymous testing, and the legal ramifications of both.

Confidential (Identifying and locating information provided and protected by law)

Confidential testing should be used for those clients seen in any setting where a medical chart is in place, such as STD, Prenatal, TB, Family Planning Clinics. Clients who are at risk for co-infection, ie: TB, Hepatitis, should be tested confidentially to provide adequate care for their defining medical condition.

If confidential testing is selected and the test is positive: The local health department will have the ability to provide the client with the test results in the event he/she does not return to the test site for the results. Ryan White Services (including ADAP) and most other HIV/AIDS Service Organizations require proof of positivity for entering into services. This confidential test result provides that proof.

All positive test results, regardless of testing facility (ie: physicians, hospitals, labs, clinics, etc.) must be reported to the state HIV Epidemiologists. The County Health Department is allowed by Rule to keep named information for only 30 days. Demographic information is coded, compiled and forwarded to the CDC. Names and locating information are not forwarded. County Health Departments are required to provide HIV education as well as partner counseling and referral services to all positives in a timely fashion.

According to Arizona State Statute 36-664, identifying information is protected.

A confidentiality form with a negative test result will be destroyed as it is not necessary for services.

Anonymous (Name and locating information not provided)

This option is only available in certain County Health Department settings and selected ADHS contracted entities. Due to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) requirements, many service providers in Arizona no longer offer anonymous testing. You can ask when you make an appointment if that agency offers anonymous testing.

While you will not be asked to provide your name or locating information, demographic information will be requested.

A positive anonymous test result is not sufficient documentation of HIV status. CDC excludes information from anonymous testing for HIV-related funding.

Call the numbers listed on our testing and services page to find out about confidential and anonymous testing locations near you.

 

What do the results mean?

A reactive result means HIV antibodies have been detected in your system. This does not mean that you have AIDS. If you test reactive for HIV antibodies, a confirmatory test will be needed. If the confirmatory test states you are positive for HIV it is highly recommended you explore treatment options. If you don’t know where to find a good doctor or can’t afford to visit one, you may want to get a case manager to help you with this. See our listings above for services providers in Arizona.

A non-reactive result means that at the time of the test you either had not been exposed to HIV or HIV antibodies had not yet developed in your body. It can take from three to six months for the antibodies to show up on the test. If it has not been at least three months since your most recent possible exposure to HIV, you may want to do the test after 3 months have elapsed since your last possible exposure. Testing negative does not protect you from contracting HIV in the future.

An indeterminate test result means that the test was inconclusive, that is, it could not be declared positive or negative. Usually people re-test when this happens.

 

What are the kinds of services available?

To find out what services are available to you in your area, call your local AIDS service organization. Here is a description of the kinds of services that may be available:

Case management. A case manager can be extremely helpful to you. Case managers have experience navigating the system: they can help with social security benefits, disability claims, medical referrals, and many other entitlements. They will advocate on your behalf and connect you to community services and support networks. Other services available through case managers may include: counseling, dental services, emergency rent and utility assistance, food programs, housing, in-home services, legal assistance, optical services, substance abuse treatment, transportation, and more. The Consumer Resource Handbook for Central Arizona has a great description of the role of a case manager: A case manager is a paid professional whose job is to help you access available resources and services to better your life and health status.

Drug assistance programs. Low income individuals living with HIV/AIDS are provided access to HIV medication through the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) and other programs.

Mental Health Services. People living with HIV have an incredible depth and range of emotions, and dealing with those can sometimes be made easier by talking to a mental health provider. Depression, for example, can be very difficult to deal with alone, but can be effectively handled with treatment.

Medical Assistance. For people living with HIV/AIDS who are unable to pay for medical services, there are hospitals and clinics across the state who can provide services at reduced cost or for free. Often, there is quite a bit of paperwork involved; you may want the help of a case manager to get through it all. Even if you feel fine, it is best to find a doctor who you feel comfortable with and who you trust as soon as you can. If you wait until you are really sick, the process is much more difficult.

Peer counseling. Peer counselors are people living with HIV who are there to listen to your concerns and to support you. Sometimes, people who have recently found out that they are HIV-positive prefer to talk to someone who has been through what they’re going through before seeing a counselor or case manager. Contact your local AIDS service organization to find out about the availability of peer counseling.

Substance Abuse Services. There are many different programs to fit the wide variety of needs- from detox to support groups. Even if you’re not ready to stop using, there are programs that can help you to reduce your risk of getting sick and of passing HIV on, such as Lifepoint in Tucson, which is a needle exchange program.

Support groups. You may want to get together with people who share your concerns and experiences- people who are also living with HIV/AIDS. Support groups offer a chance for you to get support as well as to give support. There’s a group for almost everyone- including for parents of HIV-infected children, couples, gay and bisexual men, Latinos, and so on.