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Going for hiv test

M

mrdude

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What exactly is the process? Is it simply a blood test done at your GP or do you need to go to a specialist?

The reasoning is I'm trying find answers to my health issues such as skin rash, chronic fatigue, chronic headaches, migraines, cramps... I've done other tests, but as I'm looking for auto-immune disorders, I thought I'd get tested to make sure.

I've never had sex with a man, only oral.
 
It is a simple blood test, either done by the practice nurse, or your GP. Or if you wish to remain anonymous you can go and have the test at a sexual health clinic.
Here in Scotland before you have the blood drawn, you receive some guidance and information, then you decide if you want to carry on and be tested.
If you have only had oral with a guy, then the chances of having a positive result are really very, very slim.
Good luck.
 
The HIV test can be done as a blood test or oral swab test. You'll probably be asked questions about your sexual history (be honest). You can probably find clinics in your area that do STD testing, otherwise you can ask your physician about it.
 
^Good point, be frank and open when you are asked about your personal sexual history. They will test for all blood-borne virus, including Hepatitis A and B.
This is normal clinical practice here in the UK.
They may also give you a full examination, especially as this will be your first time being checked out.
 
Look up HIV test on Google. Anonymous test by mail are available. Most cities have free anonymous tests. Also businesses which provide tests which your Doctor does not néed to know about.
Your symptoms are similar for many conditions and do not sound like HIV, but you should have the tests. You need to know, and you need to put your mind at ease.
 
Given your symptoms, you should schedule a physical with your family doctor. Since you're having fatigue and other symptoms, they will probably order lab tests, so you can ask the physician to also order an HIV test with the rest of the lab.

Typically, at an STD clinic the oral swab screening test is done. If the screening test is reactive, they will collect blood to do a confirmation test.
 
As some of the posters mentioned above, I'd look elsewhere as to the cause of your symptoms. It's rare for HIV to transmit via oral sex; however it can be transmitted through intravenous drug use, and while I'm not saying you've used drugs, it's a possibility you didn't necessarily rule out.

To stay on-topic, tests come in a number of forms. Some involve a blood draw while others use an oral swab. There are slight differences in the reliability and validity of these tests, as well as the window period during which all previous sexual activity within a certain timeframe of getting the sample for the test may not be accounted for and may not show up in the results. For example, if your test has a three month window period, any sex you've had within the last three months before the test may not affect the result of the test. In that case, you should test at least three months after your last possible exposure.

I've read up on the different tests and I believe the HIV-RNA test is one of the most reliable tests with a very short window period of just a few weeks. That test checks for the actual presence of HIV RNA, the genetic material for HIV; other tests check for the antibodies that your immune system has built up, which takes longer to show up, thus leading to a longer window period. The issue is that the results sometimes take a couple weeks to come in due to the way the samples are tested. Some clinics offer a "rapid test", either orally or by blood, in which the results can be given in a short time period such as 15 minutes; however, the window periods are longer - I believe three months.

While oral tests are much less invasive because they don't involve needles (a godsend for me and others who don't like getting stuck), the accuracy rates are a little lower than the blood tests. It can be a bit nerve-racking, so if you feel comfortable, take a friend with you when you go to get tested. Many places allow them to be in the room as the worker obtains your blood sample, but they may be asked to leave the room once your results are ready in the case of a rapid test. I had a friend come with me last time I was tested, and I went the blood route.
 
You can actually do the HIV test at home. In the US there is an over-the-counter home test you can pick up called OraQuick. It will give you your results in 20 minutes. It's FDA approved and is 99 percent accurate if you don't have HIV.
 
Both OraQuick and Home Access are available from amazon.com.
 
Thanks guys for the comments, much appreciated.

Ok, sounds a lot easier than to what I had in mind. I'm not fussed about being anonymous or anything, and the time period would be no issue considering my lack of sexual life. !oops! I'm just gonna look at this as a step further to my health problems. I don't think OraQuick is available in Australia though.

Anyway, thanks for the much help :)
 
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