HIV can only be disclosed after getting tested. All adults are eligible for HIV tests. This test is painless and quick and sometimes it is even free.
How should know if they have HIV?
You will only get sure that if you have HIV or not is after getting tested. You just cannot guess and decide that you have HIV, as mostly HIV do not show any symptoms.
If you have unprotected sex than, getting tested is a good idea. If your partner is HIV positive then you also need to test yourself. You need to test if you ever had shared needles with someone for making tattoos, piercings or for shooting drugs. If you or your partner is pregnant then get tested at first visit to the doctor. So, it is better to walk in HIV testing clinic in London.
HIV testing is painless and easy. After you go through the test, your mind will get satisfied with the negative result. And if you got positive results then also you need not to worry much about it as you need a good doctor and medication. Medication will limit the virus to spread further.
Working of HIV tests – While you get HIV, your immune system will form antibiotics that will fight from infection. The common HIV test always looks for antibodies in blood or in cells of your cheek.
Your body needs at least 3 months to make up enough antibodies for showing up in an HIV test or even longer. If you tested for the first time it will not show you the perfect result. This is called “window period”. You will always get negative results within testing in a window period.
Different kinds of HIV tests – Rapid HIV testing will show you results in 20 minutes. Any other tests take time as they are sent in labs. HIV tests are painless. You just need to rub softly inside cheek with a soft swab.
HIV test can be performed at home with HIV testing kits. Swab gums and test the sample by yourself to get the result within 20 minutes. With home access HIV-1 test, you need to prick your finger to collect blood and need to mail your blood sample and you will get the result within a week. Home tests are private and nobody will come to know about your results. If you rapidly get your results in positive then you need to go to a specialist for the checkup.
Where shall you go for HIV testing?
You can go to your doctor’s clinic, any health department, community health clinic or any private HIV test clinic in London.
You can go for either “confidential” or “anonymous” HIV tests and it depends on laws where you belong. “Confidential” testing is where your name will be mentioned on the test as well as on the results and that will go to medical record. Your doctor and the insurance company can see the results. If you get positive results then your result will be sent to local health departments to survey the rate of infection in your area.
“Anonymous” testing is getting an ID number to find out your results. The results will not appear in medical records and not even sent to the insurance company. The idea of testing HIV may be scary but it is a responsible step towards yourself. HIV tests are painless and it shows your responsibility towards your family. If you get a positive result then see your specialists for treatment.
Heidi's Health Blog 