Where can I get an HIV AIDS test?
The question is probably one of the frequently asked questions by many people who suspect sexually contagious diseases.
When and Where Should You Take the HIV (AIDS) Test?
It is understood as a result of a blood test made from a blood sample whether individuals have HIV, also known as AIDS. It is absolutely necessary to have an HIV/AIDS test after an unprotected sexual intercourse, after a blood transfer or blood exchange from a person who has not been tested for infectious disease, and before becoming pregnant. However, since the virus has an incubation period of about 2 to 12 weeks, the test should be done at the right time.
Now, we would like to address the frequently asked questions and answers about this subject.
When is the best time for HIV/AIDS testing?
The diagnosis of HIV, or AIDS, is made by various blood tests. HIV may not show symptoms immediately after it enters your body. To find out if you are HIV positive, you need to have an HIV test at the right time. For a test to give the most accurate result, 10-12 weeks should pass after the suspicious relationship.
What is the purpose of the tests?
Tests used to diagnose HIV are performed to detect protective substances (antibodies / antigens) developed against HIV in the patient’s blood. These antibodies/antigens are not formed as soon as the virus enters the body. The detection of antibodies or antigens by tests takes place at different times in each person. This time is called the “Window Period” or “Incubation Period”. This period is usually between 2-12 weeks. Therefore, testing immediately after a suspicious relationship / risky contact is not appropriate. The test should be done at the right time.
HIV testing is recommended after any unprotected sexual intercourse, after unsafe blood exchange, and before pregnancy. If the test result is HIV (+) (HIV Positive), it means that the person carries these antibodies / antigens in their blood. This means that the person has encountered HIV.
What is the probability of the test being false positive? What is false positivity?
Yes, there is a possibility that the test will be false positive. In order to be able to say that the person is HIV positive, the HIV confirmation test called the western blood test should be performed and the result should be determined as positive. We can trust this result if the results were negative in the tests performed at the right time after the suspicious relationship.
What are the most common tests for HIV Aids?
The most common tests are HIV p24, Anti-HIV 1-2, Hiv Combo and HIV PCR RNA tests.
HIV p24 test:
• HIV antigen is checked in the blood.
• It is necessary to have a test for the earliest diagnosis 16 – 21 days after the suspected contact.
• If we want to get the most accurate result for this test, at least 30 days must pass.
Anti HIV 1-2 test
• Antibodies are checked in the blood.
• It is necessary to have a test at the earliest 2 weeks after the suspected contact
• Negative results obtained 3 months after the suspected contact can be considered definitive.
• Gives precise results.
Combo test
• It checks both antigen and antibody in the blood.
• It is necessary to have a test at the earliest 2 weeks after the suspected contact.
• Negative results obtained 3 months after the suspected contact can be considered definitive.
• It is the most widely used and reliable test today.
HIV RNA Test
• Checks the HIV viral load in the blood.
• It is done 9 -11 days after the suspected contact.
• It is the earliest diagnostic test today.
HIV p24 Test:
• HIV 1 antigen is checked in the blood.
• It is necessary to have a test for the earliest diagnosis 16 – 21 days after the suspected contact.
• If we want to get the most accurate result for this test, at least 30 days must pass.
The most important point here is that before, during and after the tests, it must be done with the help of a consultant physician. By the way, it is extremely dangerous to donate blood to scarlet fever for HIV/AIDS testing. Because, during the incubation period of the disease, even if there is a virus in the blood, this situation may not be detected in the tests and blood containing the HIV virus may be given to another person.
There have been various examples of this in our country. The first action of a person with suspected HIV should be to consult a laboratory or an infectious disease specialist. The physician advises the patient and orders the appropriate tests; interprets the test results and guides the patient appropriately according to these results. HIV tests are done by encrypting the patient’s name.
CAN HIV TEST BE TAKEN AT HOME?
If a test is required and a report is required by law, the reporting institution has to ask you for your identity information in order to give a test report to the right person. Information received is never shared with an institution.
A home-only test for HIV is also available in pharmacies. However, as we mentioned earlier, there are serious drawbacks to getting an HIV test without counseling; because the result of the test is not reliable. For example, false-positive tests can lead a person to think they are truly ill and be mentally traumatized. In the false negative test, the patient actually carries the virus, but since the disease is still in the incubation period, the test turns out to be HIV negative. In this case, a false sense of trust may occur in the person doing the test, and the disease can be transmitted to others if risky behaviors are continued. Therefore, the use of home tests is not recommended by experts.
Will everyone hear if it’s HIV Positive?
HIV/AIDS is a mandatory condition to be reported to the Ministry of Health. This is necessary to make statistics, determine the status and course. Notifications are made anonymously, by coding and only by T.C. It is reported to the Ministry of Health. The coding is done using the initials of your name and your year of birth. Apart from this, it should not be told to anyone other than the responsible doctor and his team who performed the test. All treatment costs are covered by institutions included in the Social Security Institution. Those who do not have insurance and do not have sufficient financial means can benefit from green card, optional insurance or general health insurance.
Which doctor should I go to for HIV/AIDS testing?
Since HIV treatment is a complex treatment, your doctor should also be an expert in the treatment of HIV and AIDS. The doctor who will decide about your treatment; It should be in a hospital close to you that you can easily reach and a person you can feel comfortable with. This is important so you can feel comfortable wrapping up all about the benefits and risks of HIV treatment. In addition, there are centers in Turkey that can guide and assist you in the diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS.
Before starting HIV treatment, your doctor should take a complete history, perform a physical exam, and order blood tests. These tests include complete blood count, viral load test, and CD4+ T cell count. In addition, other tests required for infections (syphilis, tuberculosis skin test, toxoplasma antibody test and gynecological Pap Smear test for women) should be performed. Viral Load testing and CD4+ T-cell testing should always be done before starting HIV therapy.
Where is it possible to get tested for HIV/AIDS? Are there any centers that provide counseling for HIV testing?
Istanbul Laboratories HIV AIDS TEST CENTER provides you with free consultancy service and discounted HIV AIDS testing service to SGK members, and your identity information is not given to any institution.