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| Taking an HIV test takes away the anxiety of not knowing. |
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| Left untreated, STDs, especially HIV, can cause serious health problems. |
| Early diagnosis and treatment will help you stay healthy. |
| HIV tests are quick and easy, and at some clinics they
are free or can be paid for on a sliding scale, based on income. |
| Rapid HIV tests that produce results in only a few minutes
are increasingly becoming available in more testing locations. |
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| To find a testing site near you,
CLICK HERE. |
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| June 27 is designated as National HIV
Testing Day by the National Association of People with AIDS
(NAPWA). The M·A·C AIDS
Fund fully supports this campaign, its message and importance, and encourages
everyone to make HIV testing a part of their regular healthcare routine. |
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| To learn more... |
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USA
1-800-HIV-0440 (1-800-448-0440)
www.hivtest.org |
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CANADA
1-800-263-1638
www.aidssida.cpha.ca
(Canadian HIV/AIDS Information Centre) |
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AUSTRALIA
Phone: +61 (2) 8568-0300
Freecall: 1-800-259-666
www.napwa.org.au
(National Assoc. of People With AIDS - Australia) |
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NEW ZEALAND
(09) 358-0099 (Auckland) or 0800-802-437
Dial 0900 RIBBON (0900 742266)
www.nzaf.org.nz
(New Zealand AIDS Foundation) |
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SINGAPORE
+65 62540212
www.afa.org.sg
(Action for AIDS) |
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UNITED KINGDOM
0845 1221 200
www.tht.org.uk
(THT Direct Helpline) |
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SOME FACTS ABOUT HIV TESTING
The Centers for Disease Control estimates that nearly
1 million Americans are living with HIV/AIDS and a third of them are unaware of their HIV infection. (Globally, 95% of those infected don't know it.) Getting tested is the first step in taking responsibility for your health and the health of others. |
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HIV TESTING OPTIONS
(source: NAPWA)
Testing Programs: Voluntary counseling, testing, and referral programs (CTR)
provide people an opportunity to learn their current HIV status, receive
counseling about any behavioral changes needed to avoid infection
or infecting others, and receive information and referrals to additional
prevention programs, medical care or other services.
Confidential HIV Testing means you give your name when getting tested.
Only medical personnel or state health departments have access to the test results.
You must provide written permission before this information can be revealed to others.
Anonymous HIV testing means that no name is given to the testing
center and only you are aware of the results. Anonymous testing is
available in 39 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Test results are given by randomly assigned numbers at the time of testing.
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HIV TEST TYPES
(source: NAPWA)
There are several HIV antibody tests being used today. All testing options
are not available in all areas. Contact your local health department for the tests available in your area.
Standard blood test: This was the first HIV antibody test developed and made available, and is the most widely used.
Oral mucosal transudate test: This test, an alternative to the standard blood test,
uses a specially treated pad placed in a person's mouth, and gently rubbed
between the lower cheek and gum. The pad collects an oral fluid. This fluid
contains HIV antibodies in an HIV- infected person. This test does not test for HIV in saliva.
Urine HIV antibody test: The urine HIV-1 testing method is a painless,
non-evasive option for getting an HIV antibody test, which eliminates
accidental needle sticks and exposure related dangers, protecting the
patient and healthcare worker.
Rapid HIV antibody tests: Where the standard HIV antibody
testing procedure requires up to two weeks for results, the
rapid test gives results in 5-60 minutes. Currently approved
rapid HIV tests only test with blood. Other rapid HIV testing
methods are in development. Although the results of rapid
screenings will be reported in point-of-care settings, as with
all screening tests for HIV, if the OraQuick test gives a reactive
(or positive) result, it must be confirmed with additional testing. |
