What do you need to know about testing for HIV status? How long does it take to test a blood for HIV?

Why do you need to be tested?

Testing is the only way to find out for sure your HIV status. If you think you have been exposed to HIV, it is important to know your HIV status and, if positive, begin treatment as soon as possible. The sooner you start treatment, the healthier you will be and the less likely you are to pass on the virus.

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, it is important to get an HIV test to find out whether you need to take antiretroviral drugs to prevent passing on the immunodeficiency virus to your baby and, very importantly, stay healthy long-term by staying on stable antiretroviral therapy.

How do you know if you are at risk of infection?

The risk of contracting HIV infection may vary from country to country and from community to community. For example, in some African countries, the number of people living with HIV aged 15 to 49 years exceeds 20%. In regions with high HIV prevalence, it is important for people to know their status - first of all, newborns, children, young people, especially young girls, as well as pregnant women and men of all ages.

In addition, there are special categories of the population that are most at risk of contracting HIV infection. These include:

⦁ medical workers;
⦁ men with non-traditional sexual orientation;
⦁ workers in the intimate services sector;
⦁ drug addicts who use illegal substances intravenously;
⦁ prisoners staying in places of deprivation of liberty;
⦁ migrants.

If you doubt the need for HIV testing, answer the following questions honestly:

1. Do you live in an area with a high incidence of HIV?
2. Have you or your family ever lived in an area with a high incidence of HIV?
3. Have you ever used paid intimate services or provided such services?
4. Have you ever been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection?
5. Have you ever had tuberculosis?
6. If you are a man, have you ever had sex with a man without a condom?
7. If you are transgender, have you ever had sex without a condom?
8. Have you ever used intravenous drugs while sharing a needle with other people?
9. Have you ever had sex without a condom with someone who could answer yes to any of the above questions?
10. Have you had sex without a condom with someone living with HIV and you are not sure what their viral load level is?
11. Are you pregnant or planning to become pregnant?

If you answered yes to at least one of the questions above, it would be advisable to take an HIV test. Knowing your HIV status will allow you to make informed decisions about your health and access life-saving treatment when needed.

If you answered yes to more than one of these questions, you are strongly encouraged to get tested for HIV. If you feel you are at ongoing risk of contracting HIV, you are encouraged to take advantage of HIV prevention services and get an HIV test every six months.

If you answered no to all of these questions, you are unlikely to become infected with HIV. But it is worth remembering that HIV testing is quick and easy, it will allow you to confirm your negative status and give you the necessary knowledge to maintain health.

Why is it so important to know your HIV status?

Where can you donate blood for HIV?

In most health care settings, HIV testing is simple and free of charge. There are many places where you can get an HIV blood test: from your GP, a health clinic, family planning and antenatal care facilities, hospitals and mobile testing labs.

If a rapid self-test kit is available in your area, you can test at home. An HIV test is done by drawing blood from a finger or vein, or by swabping the mouth. Depending on the type of test you use, you may get results in 20 minutes, but if the sample needs to be sent to a lab, it may take several weeks.

Regardless of your testing method, you should receive information about HIV and have the opportunity to ask questions before and after your procedure. HIV testing also provides an opportunity to test for other diseases, including viral hepatitis, tuberculosis, and sexually transmitted infections.

HIV testing should always be voluntary and confidential. All testing services must be provided in accordance with five essential requirements: consent, confidentiality, counseling, accurate results and information about prevention, care and treatment measures.

What to do if HIV tests show a positive result?

Testing positive for HIV can be a shock, but it is important to remember that, thanks to enormous advances in medicine, effective treatment is now available to prevent HIV-related illnesses.

If you get a positive result from a self-test using a ready-made kit, you will need to go to a clinic or hospital to confirm the result with a follow-up blood test. You can contact the nearest medical facility where you will be consulted.

If the result is positive, it is very important to start treatment for HIV infection as soon as possible, even if you feel well. The sooner treatment begins, the more effective it is. People can live long and fulfilling lives with early HIV detection and proper treatment and support.

Repeated HIV testing is not necessary after starting antiretroviral therapy, but viral load should be checked regularly. A low or undetectable viral load means the treatment is effective and the virus has been suppressed. It is important for HIV-negative people to continue to protect themselves from HIV, and if you feel you are at increased risk, it is recommended that you get an HIV test every six months.

Breaking the stigma of HIV

It is important to remove HIV stigma—irrational or fear-based negative attitudes, behaviors, and judgments about people living with HIV. HIV-related stigma deters people from seeking care, including HIV prevention, testing, and treatment.

Eliminating HIV-related stigma and discrimination in health care against people living with HIV can break down existing barriers and increase access to HIV services. Many men avoid HIV testing and health care because health care providers are often ill-equipped to meet their needs, making hospital or clinic visits uncomfortable.

Making health services more men-friendly, in particular by having more male professionals, would enable them to seek out more information and advice about their health, including HIV testing.