What does the HIV test involve?

In most countries, there are many places that you can get tested for HIV. It is recommended that you get the HIV test done at a health clinic, at the doctor's surgery, or at a specialist HIV/AIDS voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) site. When you attend to get tested, you will see a doctor, trained counselor, a nurse or some other health professional in private. He or she will explain what the test involves and what the result means.

Normally a small sample of blood will be taken from your arm, sent to a laboratory and tested. In number of places oral tests are also available which do not require the use of needles. The test is always strictly confidential and only goes ahead if you agree. Your personal doctor will not be told about the test without your permission. Depending on the test used, it can take anything from a few days to a week or longer to get the result back.

A rapid HIV test is also an antibody test. The advantage of a rapid test is that you do not have return to get your test result. The test results from a rapid test are usually available in approximately 30 minutes. Rapid tests are single-use, and do not require laboratory facilities or highly trained staff. This makes rapid tests very suitable for use in resource-limited countries. Read more about voluntary counselling and testing in resource-poor communities.