What are the advantages of taking the test?
What are the disadvantages of taking the test?
How can I make sure that my test results are kept confidential?
What supports do I need besides health care?
Under what circumstances may I be required to take the test?
Who should I tell if I am HIV-positive?
How can I make sure that I will not transfer the virus to others?
What can I do if I'm HIV positive?
You probably have heard that there is a blood test that detects whether you have been infected with the virus that causes AIDS. To help you make a decision about being tested, this page will explain what the test results mean and will examine the possible advantages and disadvantages of being tested.
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What is the HIV test?
While there is a test that detects levels of the AIDS virus itself is in the body, this test is not routinely administered at HIV antibody testing sites and clinics. It is available only upon special request by a doctor.
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Being HIV-positive does not mean that you are immune to the virus. Antibodies to HIV, unlike most other antibodies, seem to provide no lasting protection against the disease. Being HIV-positive does not mean that you can no longer have sex. Just make sure that you practice safer sex every time you have sex.
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If you're positive, there are things you can do right now to keep yourself healthy. But you need to know your HIV status to get the treatments that can keep you well. Most important, you can get treatments to prevent AIDS-related pneumonia (PCP)--at little or not cost. Remember: You are not alone. GMHC can help you get the support and information you need to manage living with HIV.
If you test negative, you can stay that way. If staying safe seems like a struggle, if drinking or drugs are getting in the way, or if you feel hopeless, GMHC can help you. You are not alone and you can get support to make changes.
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Another possible disadvantage of taking the HIV antibody test is that you may be denied services or suffer discrimination if you are HIV-positive. If insurance companies find out that you are HIV-positive, or even that you took the test, they may attempt to deny or take away your health or life insurance coverage. Some doctors, dentists, landlords, employers and schools have also discriminated against people who are HIV-positive even though this is illegal in New York. If you believe you have been discriminated against, call the New York City Commission on Human Rights at 212-306-7500.
If you do not have health insurance, try to get it before being tested. Many group insurance programs available at the workplace do not require medical screening. Once you have been granted medical coverage, it is very difficult for the insurance company to discontinue it because you test HIV-positive.
Getting good health care can be difficult if you don't have insurance. Think about your options for medical care as you make a decision to be tested. Call the GMHC Hotline at (212) 807-6655/TTY (212) 645-7470 for more information about the HIV test and the availability of low cost health care in your community.
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Many private doctors and public and private hospitals also administer the antibody test. New York State law requires that you sign a form indicating that you understand the test and agree to be tested. Your test results in most cases are permanently recorded on your medical chart. While these test results are supposed to be kept confidential, there have been instances in which a patient's HIV status has been disclosed to insurance companies and others without his or her consent or knowledge. If you suspect that you might be HIV-positive, you should not donate blood. The Red Cross will test your blood and if it finds that you are HIV-positive, your name will be placed on a "blind" donor deferral list, which does not disclose the reason for the deferral and which is shared only among blood banks.
As a general rule, to protect yourself against possible discrimination, you should be cautious about disclosing that you took the test and your test results to anyone other than trusted friends and family, sexual partners and health care professionals. New York State law now protects confidentiality in most circumstances. There is also an HIV Testing Bill of Rights available through the GMHC Client Advocacy office. If you feel that your confidentiality has been violated, call the New York State AIDS Hotline at 1-800-541-2437.
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The purpose of pre-test counseling is to make sure that you understand what the test will and will not tell you, and help you decide whether you are ready to take the test. Pre-test counseling will help prepare you in case you test positive. Post-test counseling will help you deal with any feelings and reactions you may have when you receive your test results. If you test HIV-positive your counselor can help you explore your psychological, medical and treatment options. If you test negative, you can get help to stay that way.
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Also, tell anyone who may be exposed to your blood, semen or vaginal fluid, including present and past sexual partners or needle sharing partners. If you do not want to inform these partners yourself, New York State law allows a physician or public health worker to inform them that they might be at risk for HIV infection. However, it is illegal for you to be identified by name as a possible source of infection.
Many people find that telling one or two trusted friends or relatives about their HIV status helps them to build a network of support for themselves. If you do not feel comfortable discussing this with anyone you know, you can discuss it with a counselor. There are also group services for people who are HIV-positive and several organizations have been created to provide this support.
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Do not donate blood, semen, organs or tissue. If you are a woman who is HIV-positive, seek counseling if you're thinking about getting pregnant, because the virus can be passed from a mother to her fetus during pregnancy, birth or breast feeding. HIV has been found in menstrual blood, so if you have sex during menstruation, continue practicing safer sex.
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