If you have no antibodies in your blood you are HIV-negative. Sometimes negative results might also mean you are in the window period, so you might need a follow-up blood test to make sure. Unlike rapid tests, blood tests for HIV are covered by Medicare , which means your doctor can order the test free of charge for you. If you are not eligible for Medicare, you may also be able to claim some of the testing costs through private health insurance.
The test involves taking a drop of blood from a finger prick, and can provide results in about 20 minutes. This is because they only detect antibodies to HIV, which take longer to be produced and become detectable in blood, compared with the standard blood test you have when seeing a health professional.
The blood test detects both parts of the virus AND antibodies against the virus. For this reason, your doctor will give you a blood test to confirm the rapid HIV test result is accurate.
A limited number of doctors and other health providers may offer rapid testing for a small fee. If the initial test result is positive, then additional testing to confirm the result needs to be performed in a reference laboratory and this can take up to a week to get a result.
If your initial test is positive for HIV antibodies, then additional testing is required to confirm that the first one was accurate. Sometimes this involves a second blood test. When you are first diagnosed you will probably experience strong emotions.
During this time, do not try to cope on your own. Seek support by speaking with your doctor, or contact your local community organisation. They have trained peer workers available to help you through the initial stages of a positive diagnosis, but also through your journey of living well with HIV.
Part of testing best practice includes pre- and post-test counselling. Post-test counselling is important, regardless of the outcome. If you test positive, counselling can provide emotional support, further information about living with HIV, and referrals to support services.
Peer workers are also available to help you navigate living with HIV. Testing for HIV is voluntary and can only be done with your informed consent, except in exceptional circumstances. Before you are tested, you will be provided with information about what is involved. All people who request an HIV test must receive this information from the test provider.
Test results, and details on whether someone has been tested are strictly confidential. It is illegal for any information about a person being tested or a person with HIV to be disclosed without their permission. If you have just been diagnosed with HIV, it will likely be a difficult time. You might still be struggling to come to terms with diagnosis.
During this time, it is important to let any sexual or injecting partners know they may have been exposed to HIV as soon as you can, so they can be tested and offered PEP if appropriate. You do not have to do this alone. Your doctor or the Department of Health and Human Services Partner Notification Officers can help you through this process and ensure your identity is not revealed.
The Letting your partner know resource contains more information for people newly diagnosed with HIV. Both groups can provide information, support, and guidance for people living with HIV. Australians can live well with HIV. Treatments have changed over time, dramatically improving the quality and length of life for someone who is HIV positive.
It is also important to have a strong support network. Evidence suggests that involving others such as partners, doctors, counsellors, peer support workers and loved ones can improve your mental health and wellbeing and help you maintain treatment.
This is sometimes referred to as ART or antiretroviral treatment. ART treatment has transformed HIV into a manageable chronic condition like high blood pressure or diabetes , and enables people to live long and healthy lives.
The sooner treatment begins after diagnosis, the greater impact it will have on controlling HIV. You are also less likely to experience illnesses related to HIV and able to reach and maintain undetectable virus levels sooner. HIV treatment usually involves taking several different medications that target the virus in different ways. Many medications can be combined into a single tablet that is taken once or twice a day.
Work with your doctor to determine which treatment is best for you. If you are unable to take your HIV medication as prescribed, the virus can multiply again and become resistant to the antiretroviral medication you are currently taking and so will not be as effective.
If this happens, you may then need to change to a different combination of medications. There is currently no cure for HIV. Daily treatment is currently the only way for people with HIV to remain well. Injectable antiretroviral treatment given every 4 or 8 weeks will soon be available, and may be a good option for many people. Stopping treatment even for short periods of time can cause the virus to become resistant to medication, or damage your immune system.
Do not change your treatment without talking to your doctor first. Regular blood tests are necessary to make sure your treatment is working and not causing serious side effects. It is recommended that you also get tested for STIs and talk to your doctor about your sexual health and overall wellbeing. Ensure you are having routine screening for cancers and keeping your vaccinations up to date. Women who have HIV and are sexually active, should check with their HIV treating doctor about their contraceptive choices.
Some contraceptives including drugs or medical devices containing hormones may cause interactions with your HIV treatment. Other medications can also interact with hormonal contraceptives, so it is important that whoever provides your contraception and HIV medical care knows about any other medication you take including over-the-counter medicines and herbal remedies.
It is sometimes viewed with a sense of unacceptability or disgrace. A person with HIV may feel shame and despair about their status. The relationship of these feelings to HIV is referred to as stigma. It can have serious negative impacts on the health and wellbeing of people living with HIV by discouraging them from getting tested, receiving support, or taking treatment. The virus attaches itself to immune system cells called CD4 lymphocyte cells, which protect the body against various bacteria, viruses and other germs.
Once attached, it enters the CD4 cells and uses it to make thousands of copies of itself. These copies then leave the CD4 cells, killing them in the process. This process continues until eventually the number of CD4 cells, also called your CD4 count, drops so low that your immune system stops working.
Page last reviewed: 22 April Next review due: 22 April Reviewed by: Robyn R. Miller, MD. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is HIV? HIV can spread: during sex especially anal sex and vaginal sex through sharing needles for injecting drugs or tattooing by getting stuck with a needle with an infected person's blood on it HIV also can pass from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
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