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Understanding AIDS/HIV - Diagnosis & Treatment
How Is HIV/AIDS Diagnosed?
The only way to know for sure if you have HIV is to take a blood test specifically looking for it.
The CDC provides the national guidelines for HIV testing in the United States. They report that the average person will develop the antibodies to HIV within 25 days of exposure to the virus. HIV testing looks for the antibodies that you produce to fight off an HIV infection.
After 3 months, there's a 97% chance that HIV testing will detect these antibodies, though in rare cases it may take up to 6 months for antibodies to be found. Therefore, the official recommendation of the CDC is for anyone at increased risk for HIV infection to be tested 6 months after possible exposure to HIV. Most people have the test 3 months after exposure to HIV and then re-test at 6 months. The CDC outlines its official recommendations on deciding if and when to be tested, which can help you decide on testing based on your level of risk.
The reason for the waiting periods is because the tests aren't looking for the HIV virus itself; they look for antibodies produced by the body to fight HIV. The two tests, the ELISA and Western Blot, may be used in combination to be sure that any HIV antibodies are found.
Getting tested is simple: A blood sample is taken and sent to a lab. Home testing kits are also available. Testing can be done both confidentially and anonymously, so be sure to ask whether or not your name is associated with your testing if you're concerned about having your test results stay anonymous.
The advantage of being tested by a public health clinic or doctor is the counseling that's provided on test results, prevention, and safe sex practices. Waiting for test results can take from several days to weeks, depending on which test is used. HIV testing is never done without a person's written informed consent.
The Meaning of HIV Test Results
The decision to take the HIV test means accepting that there are risky behaviors that can lead to HIV infection. Testing can be stressful -- so much so that some people avoid getting tested. This is understandable, but it isn't smart. Getting tested as soon as the guidelines recommend assures that if someone is infected, treatment can be initiated that may make a difference.
It's important to talk to someone about what being tested means and how you'll deal with the results. A doctor, counselor, or pastor can help you think about what testing means to you. If you don't have someone to support you during testing, call your local HIV/ AIDS community organization. They usually have volunteer counselors who have been through the testing experience and can talk with you. You don't have to go through it alone.
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