HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)

What is HIV testing?

HIV testing shows whether a person is infected with HIV. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV infection.

Who should get tested for HIV?

It is recommended that everyone 13 to 64 years old get tested for HIV at least once. As a general rule, people at high risk for HIV infection should get tested each year. Sexually active gay and bisexual men may benefit from getting tested more often, such as every 3 to 6 months.
Factors that increase the risk of HIV infection include:

  • Having vaginal or anal sex with someone who is HIV positive or whose HIV status you don’t know
  • Injecting drugs and sharing needles, syringes, or other drug equipment with others
  • Exchanging sex for money or drugs
  • Having a sexually transmitted disease (STD), such as syphilis
  • Having hepatitis or tuberculosis (TB)
  • Having sex with anyone who has any of the HIV risk factors listed above

How can testing help me?

The only way to know for sure whether you have HIV is to get tested. Knowing your HIV status gives you powerful information to help you take steps to keep you and your partner healthy. If you test positive, you can take medicine to treat HIV to stay healthy for many years and greatly reduce the chance of transmitting HIV to your sex partner. If you test negative, you have more prevention tools available today to prevent HIV than ever before.

Should pregnant women get tested for HIV?

All pregnant women should be tested for HIV so that they can begin treatment if they’re HIV-positive. If a woman is treated for HIV early in her pregnancy, the risk of transmitting HIV to her baby can be very low. Testing pregnant women for HIV infection and treating those women who are infected have led to a big decline in the number of children infected with HIV from their mothers. The treatment is most effective for preventing HIV transmission to babies when started as early as possible during pregnancy. However, there are still great health benefits to beginning preventive treatment even during labor or shortly after the baby is born.

Will other people know my test result?

If you take an anonymous test, no one but you will know the result. If you take a confidential test, your test result will be part of your medical record, but it is still protected according to local privacy laws.

Where can I get tested for HIV?

You can get tested in our laboratories, reservation is not requested, consult can be provided. We guarantee confidentiality and professionality.