What does the HIV test involve?

In most of the countries, there are many centers where you can get yourself tested for HIV. It is recommended that you get the HIV test done at a government recognized health clinic, at the doctor's surgery, or at a specialist HIV/AIDS voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) site. When you attend the center to get yourself tested, you will meet a specialist doctor, trained counselor, a professional nurse or any other health professional in private. He or she will explain what all does the test involve and what the result of the said test means.

Usually, a little blood sample is taken from your arm and sent to a registered laboratory where it is tested. In the USA, oral tests are also available that do not require any use of needles and/or syringes to take the blood out of your body. It is mandatory, that the test is always undertaken confidentially and it is an absolute condition to be followed strictly, a precondition to go ahead with the test, if and only if you agree. Even your personal doctor will not be told about the test without your prior permission. Depending on the type of test conducted, it could take anything from a few days to a week or even longer to get the result back.

A rapid HIV test is also an antibody test. The advantage of a rapid test is that you ate not required to return to get and collect your test result, since the test results are normally available immediately in an approximately 30 minutes time. Rapid tests are for single-use only, and do not require any laboratory facilities or highly trained staff to take this test. This makes rapid tests very suitable for use in resource-limited countries. Read more about voluntary counseling testing in resource-poor communities.