HIV Antibody Testing FAQ's

Yes, Student Health Services offers confidential HIV Antibody Testing in Health Promotion.

It’s important to understand that this is NOT an “AIDS test” but rather a test for finding if a person has produced HIV antibodies. If the test does not find HIV antibodies (i.e. non-reactive), a person is presumed to be HIV negative. If antibodies are detected (i.e. reactive), a person is presumed to be HIV positive. This is very different than receiving an AIDS diagnosis.

What is meant by “confidential” vs. “anonymous” testing?

In Florida, HIV test sites may be considered anonymous or confidential sites. It is important for anyone having an HIV test to understand the confidentiality policies of any testing center, whether testing is performed at USF or another clinic or site.

At confidential test sites, including SHS, a person's name and results are recorded. At SHS, this information becomes a part of the student’s medical record. As of July 1, 1997, Florida law requires the name and address of a person with a positive result to be reported to the county health department. Negative results are not reported. Further Student Health Services policies and procedures regarding confidentiality and HIV/AIDS information will be discussed during the pre-test appointment.

Anonymous HIV Testing means that no name is ever given to the testing center and only the person who is having the test is aware of the results. Anonymous testing is available at any health department in the state of Florida.

How do I get tested?

All students who are interested in HIV testing at SHS are required to complete pre and post-test counseling. Testing appointments can be made by calling SHS Health Promotion at 813-974-4936 or by coming the SHS Annex in person. No referral is needed and any student who is eligible to use Student Health Services can get tested.

Other sites for HIV Antibody (and other STI) include:

Metropolitan Charities - (813) 232-3808

Free, rapid, confidential HIV testing. M-F 9am-5pm

Hillsborough County Health Department (downtown) - (813) 307-8064

Confidential or anonymous HIV testing, and confidential Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis screenings

University Area Health Center - (813) 307-8058

Walk-in clinic for confidential HIV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea testing for $30 (Thursdays only 7:30 am-full)

Planned Parenthood - (813) 980-3555

Confidential STD/STI screening and treatment, GYN exams, and pregnancy testing - call for more info

St. Joseph Comprehensive Research Center - (813) 870-4460

Free confidential or anonymous HIV testing, by appointment only

THAP/TOPWA - (813) 226-2141

(Tampa Hillsborough Action Plan/Targeted Outreach for Pregnant Women’s Action Plan)

Free confidential HIV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea testing and free pregnancy testing

Pinellas County Health Department - (727) 547-7780

Pasco County Health Department - (727) 862-0782.

How much is an HIV test?

HIV testing is available for $28. Syphilis is $5 (plus a $10 draw fee), Chlamydia and gonorrhea are $26 each or $45 if both are requested, and herpes blood testing is $30 for Type I and II and $15 for Type II.

Does a person have to go through the pre-test appointment?

Yes. The pre-test appointment is essential for several reasons:

1. To make sure a student feels comfortable about confidential testing including an understanding that positive cases are reported to the local health department and how medical records are handled at SHS. Anonymous test sites are offered as another option.

2. To give the student an opportunity to ask any questions he or she may have concerning transmission, accuracy of the test, protection, etc.

3. To assess risk factors and recommendations for follow-up testing.

4. To schedule a post-test appointment time.

Can I get my results over the phone or by mail?

This is not an option because the procedure at SHS is that HIV antibody test results are only given to a student in person. This ensures confidentiality. Post-tests (when results are given) usually take about 15 minutes, will be arranged during the pre test appointment, and are free of charge.

How long does the appointment take to complete?
Pre-test appointments take approximately 45 minutes to one hour.

How long will it take to get results back?
In most cases, results will be available the same day for HIV tests and are received during a face-to-face appointment. Other test results will available in approximately a week and may be received over the phone.

How accurate are the tests?
Tests are over 99% accurate. The most common screening tests used today are EIA (enzyme immunoassay) and ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay). A second test, referred to as the Western Blot test, is run to confirm a reactive EIA/ELISA.

If in the lab the test appears to be non-reactive, a person would be considered as "negative," keeping in mind the window period for possible exposure and HIV antibody production.

If in the lab the test appears to be reactive, the results would be considered “indeterminate” or "preliminary positive" and the second test (the Western Blot) would need to done. In other words, a positive screening test does not mean a person is positive or negative – the Western Blot test MUST be performed before a final result is reported. If this occurs in SHS, a blood sample needs to be drawn so it can be sent to the reference lab. If this test result comes back negative, a person’s results are considered “negative.” If this test comes back positive, a person’s results would be considered “positive,” and therefore considered as having HIV.

In any case, placing trust in an HIV test is a personal issue and is a choice only an individual can make.

How long does a person have to wait before getting tested?
HIV tests are sensitive to specific HIV antibodies which are produced by the immune system as soon as a person is infected with HIV. The key to obtaining a reliable test result is to wait for the immune system to produce enough antibodies to trigger the tests.

While a person may test positive for HIV within several weeks of infection, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends waiting at least 3 months from the date of exposure in order to get a reliable test. If a person chooses to get tested prior to 3 months after the date of exposure, and if the test is negative, that may simply mean that the body hasn't yet produced enough HIV antibodies to show up on the test. The only way to find out is to get tested after the 3-month "window period" has passed.

Again, placing trust in an HIV test is a personal issue and is a choice only an individual can make.

If students are in the window period and test negative at SHS, they are recommended to follow up after they are outside of the window period. Abstinence from risky behaviors and/or consistent and correct use of protection are strongly recommended during this time.

Does a student have to have blood drawn?

Student Health Services uses the OraQuick ADVANCE Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody test as the initial screening test. This test is used to see if a sample of blood or oral fluid contains HIV antibodies.

Several test methods are available for HIV antibody testing, and Student Health Services currently performs HIV antibody tests from blood OR oral fluid samples. Syphilis testing and done through a blood sample; Chlamydia and gonorrhea are screened through a urine sample; herpes antibody testing is done through a blood sample.

Can I get tested for other STIs?

As long as a student is not experiencing any signs or symptoms of an infection, or has for sure come in contact with someone who has had syphilis, Chlamydia, or gonorrhea, testing is available for syphilis ($5, plus a $10 draw fee), Chlamydia and gonorrhea ($26 each or $45 for both), and Herpes Type I and II ($30 for both; $15 for Type I).

Can I get tested with somebody else (friend, partner)?

Students may get tested "together," however, this includes only the educational portion of the pre-test appointment. Due to patient confidentiality, the screening questions will be asked individually and each student must make his or her own appointment (i.e. one student/friend/family member cannot make an appointment for another student).

Who should get tested for HIV?

A student may have many reasons for getting tested – for example, he or she is in a new relationship, is studying abroad, or is in for a yearly check-up. In fact, in September 2006, the CDC officially advised all health care providers to test everyone aged 13 to 64 for HIV infection – in other words, make HIV testing a part of routine health care. Pregnant women are recommended to get tested as well. In any case, testing is recommended for any person who wants to know his or her status.

A person may want to think about getting tested if he or she has ever:

· Had unprotected oral anal, and/or vaginal sex

· Shared needles or works for drugs, needles, tattoos, body piercing, steroids

· Had a sexually transmitted infection

A person might have HIV and still feel perfectly healthy. The only way to know for sure is to be tested. A person is encouraged to talk with a knowledgeable health care provider or counselor both before and after testing. Private medical providers, health departments, clinics may offer testing. Home collection kits (for testing for HIV antibodies) are also available at many pharmacies.

For more information on HIV/AIDS and other STIs:

American Social Health Association

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(Responses adapted from ACHA and CDC)