In fact, a test that is done
too soon may give a false result - and a false sense of security.
The HIV antibody test, also known as the AIDS test, is a blood test.
It does not detect the virus. It measures the antibodies in your blood
that your body makes to fight disease. It takes up to six months for
your body to make these antibodies. At that point, the tests are more
than 99% accurate.
A positive test means that antibodies have been found in the blood and
that HIV is in the body. The test cannot tell when you became infected
or if and when you will get sick. It only tells you that you have the
virus.
If a person is tested before the antibodies show up, the test will be
negative. If you are thinking of getting a test, remember that being
tested too soon may give a false result.
You must ask to be tested for HIV antibodies. It is not done automatically
when you give blood during a physical examination. You must give your
consent to be tested.
It does not cost money to be tested for medical reasons. There may be
a fee if the test is for a non-medical reason, such as getting life
insurance or a foreign work visa.
Testing is available through a doctor's office or the following:
Sexually
Transmitted Disease Clinic
(confidential and anonymous
testing available)
Safeworks
(anonymous testing available)
HIV tests must be reported to the public health authorities in Alberta,
so it is important to be aware of the different types of tests available:
- Anonymous testing is where the results are linked to the person
being tested by a code known only to them. Neither the nurse/doctor
ordering the test nor anyone else knows the identity of the patient.
Only the test results and any demographic information provided are
reported to public health authorities.
- Confidential (or non-nominal) testing is where the results can be
linked to the person being tested. The nurse/doctor knows the identity
of the person being tested, but keeps it confidential. The name of
the person testing positive is not reported to public health authorities,
only the test results and any demographic information provided.
- Nominal testing is testing where the results are linked to the person
being tested by a personal identifier. Full personal information,
test results and any demographic information provided are reported
to public health authorities.
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