Who should be tested for HIV? How often? Are the results always 100 percent accurate? How are they done?
Anyone who has been at risk of being infected should be tested. That means any woman or man who has had unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse or who has shared needles with someone. Pregnant women who are at risk can be tested and treated so that their babies can be born uninfected. Recently, more and more medical authorities are agreeing that, in the future, routine testing for HIV during regular medical appointments will be an important public health strategy for stopping the spread of HIV.
It takes up to three months after infection for the tests to be accurate. Results that show no infection are accepted as accurate — unless unsafe sex or sharing needles happened within three to six months of testing. Tests are double-checked if they show infection. Testing has gotten simpler and faster over the years. Blood tests are still available, but testing is now done with samples of saliva or urine.
For information about confidential testing at the nearest Planned Parenthood health center, call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN.
