IT ALL STARTS WITH THE HIV TEST
HIV TESTING IS PART OF HEALTH CARE
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 who is sexually active get tested for HIV at least once a year as part of their health care. Getting tested more often, such as every 3 to 6 months, may be beneficial if:
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She has had more than one sexual partner since the last time she was tested.
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You have had sexual relations, anal or vaginal, with a person living with HIV or who is unaware of their status.
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Have you been treated for or diagnosed with another sexually transmitted infection?
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You have used intravenous drugs and shared needles, syringes, or other drug injection tools (e.g., a heater) with other people or have been at risk of contracting or transmitting HIV or other infections.
Talk to your sexual partners
You can talk about HIV and other sexually transmitted infection screenings, when they were last tested, their test status or results, the type of relationship they prefer (monogamous, open or with multiple partners, casual relationships, etc.), sexual activities they are comfortable with, and prevention methods they use or prefer.
Types of HIV Tests
Laboratory tests: This requires that blood be drawn from a vein and sent to a laboratory for analysis. Results may take several days to become available.
Antigens and antibodies: This test detects HIV antigens and antibodies against the virus. When the immune system is exposed to a virus, it produces antibodies. Antigens are foreign substances that trigger the immune system. The p24 antigen is produced in people with HIV infection. A rapid finger-prick test for detecting antibodies and antigens is also available.
Nucleic acid: The test indicates whether the person is living with HIV or the amount of virus present in the blood, known as a viral load test.
Rapid tests: Rapid antibody and/or antigen tests are performed using blood via finger prick or through oral secretions. Results are ready in 20 minutes or less.
Home HIV test: The HIV test can also be performed at home or in a private place. It can be purchased at a pharmacy or online and uses oral mucosa to detect HIV antibodies.
Results
If the result is negative:
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Make HIV testing a part of your routine healthcare.
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Evaluate whether Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is an option for you. PrEP is a biomedical prevention strategy that significantly reduces the risk of HIV infection.
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Use barrier protection correctly and consistently in all sexual activity to prevent the acquisition and transmission of HIV and other infections (STIs).
If the result is positive:
If the preliminary result is positive using a rapid HIV test, a confirmatory laboratory test will be necessary to establish the diagnosis.
Starting treatment quickly is key to your health. Consult your healthcare provider about available options for accessing services to ensure you receive the appropriate care.
Use protective barriers correctly and consistently during all sexual activity to prevent the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
With continuous antiretroviral treatment, the amount of virus in our body decreases. This reduces the risk of HIV transmission to others. An undetectable viral load is equivalent to being untransmittable.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Healthysexual: A manual for taking charge of your sexual health. Gilead Sciences, Inc. (2018).
Getting tested frequently and knowing your status can help end HIV
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Click here to access Law 45 for routine HIV testing. LINK
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Click here to view or download Administrative Order 511 of the HIV Algorithm. LINK
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Click here for more information about routine tests . LINK
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Click here to find routine testing providers. LINK