Why is this procedure done?
HIV is the name of a virus that affects the immune system. HIV is also known as human immunodeficiency virus. The immune system is what helps the body fight infections or germs. To find out if you have the virus, you need to have a test for HIV. It will look for HIV antibodies in your blood, saliva, or urine. Antibodies are special proteins that fight the infection. Your body may start to make HIV antibodies 6 to 12 weeks after you are infected. It may take 6 months to make enough antibodies for test results to be positive. ‚
Have an HIV test if you: ‚
- Are sexually active and younger than 25 years
- Had sex without protection, like condoms
- Had more than one sex partner or unknown sex partners
- Injected drugs or shared needles and syringes
- Are exposed to HIV during a medical test or at work
- Plan to become pregnant or are pregnant
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What will the results be?
- If you are HIV positive, you have the HIV virus.
- If you are HIV negative, you may not have the HIV virus. Because it takes time to have enough antibodies in your blood to show an HIV infection, your doctor may suggest that you be tested again in a few months. During this time, it is important that you follow precautions not to pass on the virus in case you have it.
What happens before the procedure?
- Your sample and results will be kept private.
- There are no special things to do before the test.
- Talk to your doctor about:
- All the drugs you are taking
- If you have any bleeding problems
What happens during the procedure?
If a blood sample is taken: ‚
- The staff will clean the skin on your arm.
- You will have a small amount of blood taken from you with a needle.
- You may have a little pain.
- The needle will be taken out and a bandage will be put on your skin.
If a saliva sample is taken: ‚
- The staff may use a stick with a pad on the end. They will rub it on your gums to collect saliva.
- You may spit right into the container or collecting cup.
- The doctor may use a special device to collect fluids from your mouth.
If a urine sample is taken: ‚
- The staff will give you a clean plastic cup. You will use this to catch your urine.
- The staff will tell you what to do.
What happens after the procedure?
You can go home right after the test. ‚
What care is needed at home?
You may do your normal activities when you get back home. ‚
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- If you are HIV positive, the doctor will follow this test up with another test to confirm that you are positive.
- You may need drugs to treat your HIV.
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Tell your sex partner or anyone you have had sex with in the past 3 to 6 months of your HIV status. They need to be tested too. Often, your doctor or counselors in HIV clinics can help with this.
- Practice safe sex. Use barrier protections and clean sex toys after use. Have sex with only one partner. Do not have vaginal, anal, and oral sex without protection.
- If you are HIV positive and pregnant, get treatment right away to keep from passing HIV to your baby.
What problems could happen?
- Pain
- Bruising
- Bleeding
- Feeling dizzy
- Infection
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/testing/resources/qa/index.htm ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚