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HIV/
AIDS
TEST
YES-NO?
THE
TEST?
When
the body is infected by HIV, it reacts by producing antibodies. The test
looks for these antibodies. It is NOT a test for AIDS. It will only tell
you whether or not you have been infected by the virus. The test will not
tell you if you have AIDS, and cannot tell you whether you will go on to
develop AIDS.
What
does the test involve?
A
doctor or nurse will take a sample of blood – usually from your arm- and
then send it to a laboratory for the HIV antibody test. Because the
laboratory has to confirm the test, it will be about two weeks before you
get your results.
How
to take the test
If
after thinking and talking it over, you decide to take the test you can
contact a district clinic or the Communicable Disease Control Unit (CDCU)
or special clinic at Victoria hospital (Tel 224400 Ext 6037)
The
result will not be given to anyone but you. You will be given an
appointment to talk to someone about the result, whether or not the test
shows that you have been infected with HIV.
The
best defence against HIV and AIDS is information. Read this leaflet as
many times as you need to, and / or talk to someone before you make a
decision about having the test.
What
does the result tell you?
If
the test does not find antibodies to the virus in your blood, you have
probably not been infected with HIV.
However,
it can take 2-3 months for antibodies to develop after you have been
infected with the virus. This means that you should wait up to 3 months
after the last occasion when you think you have been infected before you
have the test. And of course, a negative result does not mean you cannot
become infected in future if you put yourself at risk.
If
the test does find antibodies to the virus in your blood it means that you
have the virus. It does not mean that you have AIDS, or that you will
necessarily get AIDS.
It
does mean that you are infectious and can pass the virus on to other
people through sexual contact or blood-even though you may look and feel
well. It does not mean that you can infect someone by normal, everyday
contact. Working, eating, drinking or sharing a house with people are all
quite safe.
REMEMBER SAFER
SEX FOR EVERYONE
Stay
with one partner. If this is not possible, reduce your number of sexual
partners and always make sure a condom is used during penetrative sexual
intercourse.
Should
I take the test?
Only
you can make that decision. Allow yourself plenty of time to think
carefully about the consequences. Knowing that you have the virus can
fundamentally affect your life. Here are some ideas to think about.
Knowing
that you do not have the virus may put your mind at ease and stop you
worrying unduly about AIDS.
If you do have the virus and then help develop symptoms of AIDS
related disease your doctors may be able to start treatment earlier, which
may benefit you You may find it easier to practice safer sex if you know
that you have the virus (but you should be doing this anyway).
If your partner has the virus your results may help you decide how
to carry on with your sex life
On
the other hand
Some
with people with the virus have been rejected by their families and
friends, and have been left to cope alone.
It
may help you to write down a list of all the reasons why you are
considering the test. Put it away somewhere private for a few days, then
look at it again and ask yourself if you still feel the same.
What
is AIDS?
AIDS
is caused by a virus called HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) that can
damage the body’s defence system so that it cannot fight infection. HIV
is not easily transmitted – you cannot become infected through everyday
social contact.
HIV
is transmitted in three main ways;
-
Through
sexual intercourse with an infected person
-
By
contaminated blood, blood products and instruments
-
From an
infected mother to her unborn child
In
the past, a number of people were infected through infected blood or blood
products. This may still occur in some areas of the world, but is unlikely
in some countries, including Seychelles where all blood has been screened
since 1987.
People
who have been infected with the virus do not all have AIDS. Infact most of
them are still healthy and do not know that they are infected. From what
we know about the condition at present, we think that about a quarter of
these people will develop AIDS within five to ten years time.
Others
may have less severe illness due to the virus and some will remain well
for long periods.
Before
you decide
Before
you make any decisions, here are some questions that may help you.
-
Am
I likely to be infected?
-
If
I know that I do not have the virus, will that stop me worrying?
-
To
whom, if anybody, should I tell my result? (My partner? Doctor?
Family?)
-
When
I get my result, what ever it is, how should I change my sexual
behavior?
-
What
if my partner and I are planning to have baby? A pregnant woman may
pass on the virus to her unborn child
-
Do
I need the result to help me make decisions?
-
Take
your time before you decide about test.
If
you think you want the test make sure you talk with a health advisor at an
STD clinic who can tell you about the test and it’s implications in more
details.
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