Understanding Your Results and Staying Healthy

June 27th is National HIV testing day and all week I’ve been blogging about the important decision to get tested. Getting tested for HIV is one way young people can take control of their health. Knowing your HIV status can help you stay healthy and will help you protect your partners from HIV. Knowing what to expect when you go to a family planning clinic or other HIV testing site is a good way to prepare for an HIV test.

During the visit Check out this video about what happens when you go in for an HIV test. The video was made by an organization in New York that serves young people and shows a young man getting the HIV Rapid test. The clinic he visits is not in California, but this is a pretty typical example of what to expect as part of an HIV test. 

Understanding your test results It is important to understand what your HIV test results mean. When you return for your results, in 20 minutes or 1-2 weeks depending on the type of test you took, a counselor will go over your results with you. The counselor is there to support you and answer your questions. There are three possible results from an HIV test: A positive (sometimes called a “reactive”) result means:

  • You are HIV positive. A positive result does not mean you have AIDS.
  • You should seek treatment right away. The sooner you start treatment for HIV, the better chance you have for staying healthier, longer.

A negative (sometimes called a “non-reactive") result means:

  • There are no HIV antibodies (antibodies are your body’s reaction to the HIV virus) in your blood at this time. A negative result does not mean you can never get HIV. The third possibility for an HIV test result is an indeterminate result. Indeterminate results are very rare.

An indeterminate result means:

  • The test results are unclear and the test needs to be done again. Indeterminate results rarely happen, but when they do the counselor will help set up a new HIV test. Thanks to lots of research and years of scientific improvements, HIV tests are very accurate. The CDC estimates that HIV tests are over 99% accurate.

What to do if the test is negative The most important thing to do if your test result is negative is to take care of yourself and others. Protect yourself and your sexual partners from HIV and other STD’s by using a condom every time you have sex. Spread the word about HIV testing and encourage others to get tested.

What to do if the test is positive The most important thing to do if your test result is positive is to take care of yourself and others. Now that you know you have HIV, know that you can pass the virus on to others through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex and by sharing needles. It is important to take steps, like using a latex condom every time you have sex, to protect your sexual partners. Find a doctor right away who can start treating your HIV. HIV can not be cured, but with the right treatment HIV positive people can live long, happy, healthy lives. You can also take to your. Emotional support is really important too. If you don’t have a friend, parent or family member, or other person you trust and who you can talk to, try finding support online. Project Inform in San Francisco, CA also has many great resources on their website for issues such as newly diagnosed with HIV, HIV and pregnancy, information for HIV+ women, and HIV treatment information. Knowledge is Power! Take the test and Take Control!