Advantages, Disadvantages and Consequences

Advantages of testing:

• To resolve uncertainty about HIV status.
• To prevent further HIV transmission.
• To assist in more-informed reproductive decision-making.

Disadvantages of testing:

• Psychological stress. (For some patients, being found HIV positive may trigger depression or, infrequently, suicide. If such a risk exists or coping skills and social support appear to be inadequate, testing should be deferred until such skills and support can be developed or the patient can be referred for extended counselling, therapy or both.)
• Anxiety from keeping test result secret from family, friends and community.

Consequences of a positive test result:

• Some patients can benefit from care and treatment.
• Some risk of losing partners and friends, or denial of employment, housing, insurance, educational and travel opportunities.

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