The test itself involves a simple blood test. The result usually takes approximately one to two weeks to come through.

What are the benefits of having a HIV test?

Most people who have a HIV test have been worrying unnecessarily. Getting a HIV negative result could help put your mind at rest.

You may want go to live in a country that will only accept people who are HIV negative as residents.

Some couples who have decided to have a monogamous relationship (not having sex with anyone else outside of their relationship), having a HIV test to confirm both partners’ HIV-negative status so that they can have unprotected sex.

Others may have a HIV test because they are planning a family and knowing their HIV status could help their decision.

If you have a HIV test because you think you have put yourself at risk of infection and you get negative test result, it could be an opportunity to re-assess your behaviour. For example, you may decide to make a greater effort to ensure you always practice safer sex.

Even if the result is positive and you have been infected with HIV, there can be benefits:

• You can plan for the future
• If your doctor knows you are HIV+, they may be able to detect potential health problems early through monitoring your health and the state of your immune system
• You may choose to start anti-HIV treatment to slow down the damage that HIV causes to the immune system or take medications that can prevent some of common illness that HIV+ people get
• You can take better care of your general health and well-being (e.g. you may want to move to a less stressful job, because of the additional damage that stress can place on the immune system
• You can take steps to protect yourself and others. For example, through practising safer sex and avoiding types of sex that may put you or your partner at risk. Safer sex can also protect against other sexually transmitted infections which some doctors think can worsen HIV’s damage to the immune system
• If you know you are HIV+, you could inform other people that they may be infected (e.g. past sexual partners)

Where can I go to get a HIV test and what can I expect?

HIV testing will usually be done at a local GUM Clinic. All GUM’s have a policy of confidentiality. This means that your result, whether positive or negative, will never be passed on to other people, not even your GP.

When you first go along for a HIV test you will see a Health Advisor or counsellor who will discuss why you want to have a HIV test and all the implications involved. It is important that you think through all the issues before the test is taken and they will help you to do this.

You will then need to give a blood sample, which will be sent off to the laboratory to test for the HIV anti-bodies. HIV tests in the UK are highly accurate: if a result is positive, it is always confirmed using a different testing kit. Negative results are reliable if they are done after the three-month ‘window period’ which the immune system needs to produce the anti-bodies.

Can I Get A HIV Test Done By My GP?

Some GP’S can do this for you, but will have to keep a record of your HIV test on your medical notes. This means that if in the future your GP had to provide medical information to a mortgage or life insurance company or employer, they may be asked whether you have had a HIV status.

Some people may prefer not to have a HIV test done by or via their GP for this reason, or because they know people working within the GP practice, that could see their medical notes.

What Happens When I Get the Results?

When you have the HIV test, the clinic will tell you when to come back for the results, most clinics will not give results over the telephone because of confidentiality.

You may want to take somebody with you for support when you get the result, regardless of whether the result is HIV+ or not. If you do this, choose someone who you can trust and who will not tell other people about your result without your consent.

If your result is HIV-negative, they will want to talk to you about how you stay HIV-negative, discuss any concerns you have around safer sex or any other feelings you may have.

If your result is HIV+, support, counselling and help will be available to you straight away. The clinic may organise some follow-up sessions so that you can talk through your feelings in more details and come to terms with the result. They will also probably start to make checks on your state of health and, in time, discuss treatment options.

The clinic staff will also be able to refer you to a range of other people and organisations that can help, such as social workers, dieticians and voluntary organisations. You may want to talk to somebody else that is HIV+ and this may be possible by visiting AIDS TRUST Cymru or another local self-help organisation or support group depending on where you live. Also, there are telephone Helplines that you can contact for support, some of which are staffed by people who are living with HIV.

It is important to remember, that you are no alone in being HIV+, there are now many people who have been diagnosed with HIV and whilst not everyone’s experience will be exactly the same, there are people who are prepared to talk with and support you.