When Someone You Love Has AIDS

[OneFinger]

>How often should one get an AIDS test?

 

Your first one will establish a baseline. Another in 6 months will confirm that baseline. After that, I'd recommend being tested every 6 months if you're sexually active with multiple partners or have a significant exposure to blood, cum, or other body fluids.

 

If you're in a monogomous relationship and don't use escorts then yearly is probably fine. (I assume you do use safer sex precautions.)

 

>Are they reliable?

 

YES. The newer ones don't even require them to draw blood - just swab your mouth with a q-tip. If the test is positive, the lab then uses the same sample to do a second test to confirm BEFORE they send you the results. All positive results are usually followed up with another test using a second sample.

 

>Are they confidential?

 

In my state you can be tested either confidential (you must give them some name) or annonomous (you don't give them any name).

 

However, the confidential test is cheaper. So, I made up a name that I only use for getting tested. (For example, I use J.S. Jones. The testing center doesn't know if J.S. stands for Jared Steven, John Smith, or Joseph Stalin. I've actually know people who used the name Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck and no one questioned their identity.)

 

I would NOT get tested by my private doctor. I'd go to a AIDS organization or a public health clinic where they don't ask for your insurance information or proof of identity.

 

>Should you get a second opinion with another doctor or clinic?

 

Only if you test positive. But, I'd try to keep all testing information out of your "real name" medical records as long as possible. Just being tested for AIDS could increase your health and life insurance premiums even if the results are negative.

[Guest JT]

Dear Godiva,

 

>How often should one get an AIDS test?

 

I believe you mean testing for HIV. Keep in mind that being HIV-positive is not the same as having AIDS. How often one should get an HIV test would depend on various factors, e.g. whether the person has been involved in high-risk activities such as unprotected anal intercourse, multiple partners, and intravenous drug use. One may also want to consider how psychologically prepared he is while waiting for and dealing with potentially devastating test results on a regular basis. Some would feel it's sufficient to have an HIV test done once every 6 months. Others feel it necessary but comfortable to do it once every one to two months. So it really depends on the person's own circumstances.

 

 

>Are they reliable? >Should you get a second opinion with another doctor or clinic?

 

The HIV tests that are currently available are actually very specific and sensitive. The results from two different types of diagnostic tests are highly accurate (over 99.99%). A previously HIV-negative person who tested positive is said to be sero-converted. Of course, like any other kinds of diagnostic tests, there will be false-positives and false-negatives.

 

A negative result may give someone a false sense of security, though. Most of the HIV tests look for specific antibodies to the virus. Unfortunately, the level of HIV-antibodies in the blood is usually undetectable until 6 - 8 weeks postinfection (the so-called "window period"). Therefore, if someone goes for an HIV test during the window period, the test result is going to be negative.

 

Newer versions of HIV test look for specific viral components (such as a protein antigen in the viral coat called p24 or the gene for p24). The rationale behind is that significant amounts of these viral components can be detected in various body fluids such as blood and saliva even during the window period.

 

If anyone has any doubts about the test results, it’s always up to that individual to decide whether doing another HIV test would be necessary.

 

 

>Are they confidential?

 

I'm not too sure about the US system. In Canada, all HIV test results are confidential in the sense that only you, the testing laboratory and your family physician would have the information. For public health purpose, certain information (like age, gender, postal code without any personal identifier) of the newly diagnosed HIV-positive individuals are reported to the provincial and federal health authorities. The information could shed light on the trends of HIV epidemics and provide provincial and national statistics for the assessment, planning and allocation of health resources.

 

I hope this helps.

 

 

JT

[Godiva]

Thanxs Guys for all the sound advice..My friends boyfriend has invited me along with a few others over to the house to try to lift his boyfriends spirits for the holiday. We will see what happens. I will do anything at this point..

 

I will let you know how it turns out..

 

Have a Happy Holiday to all of you...

 

G

[Guest DavidofNYC]

Since I have a best friend with AIDS, I am glad to see the love flowing in this thread.

[Godiva]

Well as I stated we were invited to my friends house by the boyfriend. It didn't go well at all. First of all the boy friend looks terrible..tired and worn. I begged him to get some support help and if he ever needed to talk I was there. My friend with AIDS threw us all out of the house..It was so sad. He said he didn't want us to see him like that. The four of us left broken and it put a damper on the whole day. Before I left I gave the boyfriend cash and one of my Credit Cards and told him to us it for emergencies . Other than that its all I can do.. I feel absolutely helpless..I will take someones advice and attend a support group so I can be ready when they need me.

 

Thanxs for listenening

G