Why Get Tested?

• Having HIV and having AIDS are not the same thing. HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, eventually causing a range of illnesses that are called acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS. You can have HIV and remain healthy for many years, but without treatment most people will eventually get sick.
• An HIV-antibody blood test is commonly used to see whether you've been exposed to the virus. This test looks for HIV antibodies, special proteins produced by the body to fight HIV. An FDA-approved home-testing kit can measure HIV antibodies in blood. Most HIV-antibody tests use the ELISA method of detection, which is 99 percent accurate; a more sensitive Western Blot test is used to confirm a positive result.
• A positive test result means you've been exposed to HIV; it doesn't mean you have AIDS. If you test positive, you should plan to see a doctor familiar with HIV and consider other tests for HIV and treatment options to prevent the onset of disease (see "Uncle Sam Says").
• A negative test result means you haven't been exposed to the virus or that it's too early to tell; it takes from two weeks to six months for antibodies to develop after a person is exposed to HIV. A negative result does not protect you against future infection.
• Counseling is an important aspect of getting an HIV test. A trained counselor can address your fears and help you prepare for getting the results. (see "Vital Resources").