Blog Archive

FAQ about testing

Posted by HIM on Monday October 26th, 2009

Here are some frequently asked questions about testing:

Source: AIDS Vancouver

How is HIV detected? What is an HIV test?

HIV is detectable by a standard blood test called an HIV Elisa test. The test tells you if you are infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) by looking for antibodies. HIV antibodies are your immune systems response to HIV in your blood. Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system to fight a specific germ.
A “Rapid" HIV test is a standard HIV Eliza test done by a finger poke blood test. It looks for the presence of HIV antibodies. Results from this test are available within a few minutes after a sample is taken. There is a licensed, approved rapid test available in BC but its use is not government funded.
A positive result on any HIV test should be confirmed with a second test done with blood drawn from a vein.

How accurate is the test?

Antibody test results for HIV are accurate more than 99.5% of the time. Once blood has been taken, an Elisa test is used to test for HIV antibodies. A positive test result is then confirmed with a Western blot test.

Rapid HIV tests can have a higher rate of false positives but the rapid test is just as accurate as the HIV antibody test. A positive rapid test is considered a preliminary positive and should be followed by a standard blood test.

People recently infected with HIV may test negative if they get tested too soon after being infected with HIV (see information on testing during window periods).

What will the test tell me?

The result from an HIV test can either be positive or negative. A confirmed positive test result tells you that you have been infected with the HIV virus. Being HIV positive does not mean that you have AIDS. By regularly monitoring your health and exploring your treatment options, you can slow down the process of HIV and live a longer, healthier life. You can get support and information about living with HIV. Call your local AIDS helpline for more information. Your health care provider can also give you information and options on what to do next and how to access services and support.

If the result is positive, you will be asked if you need help identifying people that might have been at risk of getting HIV from you. You have the right to say that you don’t need this help. If you do want help, public health staff will work with you and your doctor or clinician to help you inform people that may need to be told that they have been at risk of HIV infection. If you have any questions about this, call your local AIDS helpline.

A Negative test result can tell you one of two things:

1.Either you don’t have HIV, or
2. You’ve been infected recently and your body hasn’t produced enough HIV antibodies to be measured in a blood test.

A negative result doesn’t mean you are immune to HIV. You might consider this is a good opportunity to look at what you’ve been doing and what you can do to reduce your risk of infection.

What is the “Window Period”?

From the moment HIV enters a person’s body, it takes time for the body’s immune system to develop enough HIV antibodies to be measurable by a standard HIV test. The period of time required for the body to produce enough HIV antibodies to become detectable by a standard HIV test is called the “window period”. The test currently administered in British Columbia has a maximum window period of three months. However, 95% of people will test positive on this test by 4-6 weeks following an infection.

What if someone tests negative during the window period?

If a person tests negative for HIV during the three month window period, the negative result still cannot be considered confirmatory or accurate. During the window period, a negative test may result because the body has not produced enough HIV antibodies to be measured by a standard HIV blood test.

Only after the window period of three months has passed, and provided the individual has not continued to engage in unprotected risk activities during the window period, should negative HIV test results be considered accurate.

I haven’t engaged in any activities that put me at risk for HIV. Should I get tested anyway?

Even if a person has no risk factors for HIV infection they may still want to get tested. For many people, HIV testing is something that they choose to do regularly for their own personal reasons. Encouraging everyone to get tested is good practice and a great way to reduce HIV-related stigma. It also encourages responsibility and self-care around HIV prevention.

Some examples of why people choose to get tested for HIV:

Some people make the personal choice to get tested because they feel anxious about HIV and want to know their status.
Some people make the choice to add HIV-testing to their regular schedule or healthcare check-up.
Some people choose “couples testing” whenever they begin a new relationship or it becomes a regular part of their relationship.
Some people in “monogamous” relationships make the personal choice to get tested (particularly if they are having unprotected sex) because they feel that their sexual partner may be engaging in risk behaviors (including unprotected sex and/or intravenous drug use) outside the relationship.
Some people make the choice to get tested because they are sexually active and have had or do have multiple sex partners.

Remember that whatever your reasons are for testing, getting an HIV test is YOUR choice and YOURS alone. No doctor or health professional should ever carry out an HIV test without your consent.