Frequently Asked Questions - Testing basics

What is an HIV test? What does it look for?

HIV is detectable by a blood test. The test tells you if you are infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) by looking for antibodies. HIV antibodies are your immune systems response to HIV in your blood. Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system to fight a specific germ.

Other tests are used when people already know they are infected with HIV. A viral load test is used to measure how many cells are being infected and killed by the HIV virus and is usually done when an individual is diagnosed with HIV infection and at regular intervals following diagnoses. A CD4 cell count measures the number of CD4 cells in a sample of blood. It is used by health care providers to determine when to begin, interrupt, or halt-anti-HIV therapy, when to give preventive treatment for opportunistic infections, and to measure an individualâ€™s response to treatment. The lower the CD4 count, the higher the risk of an individual developing an opportunistic infection. The healthy range for a CD4 cell count is: 500-1500.

How is HIV detected?

HIV is detectable by a blood test. Newer tests can detect HIV antibodies in mouth fluid (not the same as saliva), urine, or from a scraping sample taken from inside the cheek. "Rapid" HIV test results are available within ten to thirty minutes after a sample is taken. One of these tests has produced a high rate of false positives. A positive result on any HIV test should be confirmed with a second test.

How accurate are the tests?

Antibody test results for HIV are accurate more than 99.5% of the time. Once blood has been taken, an Elisa test is used to test for HIV antibodies. A positive test result is then confirmed with a Western blot test.
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Two special cases have been known to give false results:

Children born to HIV-positive mothers may have false positive test results for several months because mothers pass infection-fighting antibodies to their newborn children. Even if the children are not infected, they have HIV antibodies and will test positive. Other tests, such as a viral load test, must be used to confirm results.
People recently infected with HIV may test negative if they get tested too soon after being infected with HIV.

What Will the Test Tell Me?

The result from an HIV test can either be positive or negative.

A positive test result tells you that you have been infected with HIV. Being HIV positive does not mean you have AIDS. By regularly monitoring your health and exploring your treatmentoptions, you can slow the progress of HIV and live a longer, healthier life. You can get support and information about living with HIV. Call your local AIDS Helpline for more information.Your health care provider can also give you information and options on what to do next and how to access services and support.

If the result is positive, you will be asked if you need help identifying people that might have been at risk of getting HIV from you. You have the right to say that you do not need this help. If you do want help, public health staff will work with you and your doctor or clinic in order to identify people that may need to be warned that they have been at risk of HIV infection. If you have questions about this, call your local AIDS Helpline.

A negative test result can tell you one of two things:

Either you don't have HIV, or
You've been infected recently and your body hasn't produced enough HIV antibodies to be measured in a blood test.

A negative result doesn't mean you are immune to HIV. You might consider this a good opportunity to look at what you've been doing and what you can do to reduce your risk of infection.

Why should I consider getting tested for HIV?

If you think that you have been engaging in activities that put you at risk for HIV transmission, you may want to get tested. You may consider testing if:

You have had vaginal, anal or oral sexual intercourse without a condom or without other barrier method protection.
You have had a condom break during sex.
You have had multiple sexual or drug equipment sharing partners.
You have had a recent diagnosis of another sexually transmitted infection (STI).
There is a chance that your sexual partner is not monogamous.
You have been sexually assaulted.
You have shared needles or syringes, or found out that a partner has shared needles.
You have discovered that a partner has been exposed to HIV or learned that a past or current partner is HIV positive.
You are pregnant.
You have a child and do not know your child’s HIV status.
You have had a needle-stick accident.

I haven't engaged in any activities that put me at risk for HIV. Should I get tested anyway?

Even if a person has no risk factors for HIV infection they may still want to get tested. For many people, HIV testing is something that they choose to do regularly for their own personal reasons. Encouraging everyone to get tested is good practice and a great way to reduce HIV-related stigma. It also encourages responsibility and self-care around HIV prevention.
Some examples of why people choose to test for HIV:

Some people make the personal choice to get tested because they feel anxious about HIV and want to know their status.
Some people make the choice to add HIV-testing to their regular schedule or healthcare check-up.
Some people choose “couples testing” whenever they begin a new relationship or it becomes a regular part of their relationship.
Some people in ‘monogamous’ relationships make the personal choice to get tested (particularly if they are having unprotected sex) because they feel that their sexual partner may be engaging in risk behaviours (including unprotected sex and/or intravenous drug use) outside of the relationship.
Some people make the choice to get tested because they are sexually active and have had or do have multiple sexual partners.

Remember that whatever your reasons are for testing, getting an HIV test is your choice and yours alone. No doctor or health care professional should ever carry out an HIV test without your consent.

What is the "Window Period"?

From the moment HIV enters a person's body, it takes time for the body's immune system to develop enough HIV antibodies to be measurable by a standard HIV test. The period of time required for the body to produce enough HIV antibodies to become detectable by a standard HIV test is called the "window period". Tests currently administered in British Columbia have a "window period" which can last anywhere from four weeks to three months.

What if someone tests negative during the window period?

If a person tests negative for HIV during the four week to three month window period, the negative result still cannot be considered confirmatory or accurate. During the window period, a negative test may result because the body has not produced enough HIV antibodies to be measured by a standard HIV blood test. Only after the window period of three months has passed, and providing the individual has not continued to engage in unprotected risk activities during the window period, should negative HIV test results be considered accurate.

Where can I get tested for HIV in Vancouver?

HIV testing is available for FREE at community health clinics, sexual health clinics and from your family doctor. Family planning centers or drug treatment facilities also offer testing. See also the list of testing sites in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.