It is a test that can determine whether the antibodies to HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, are present. The Illinois State University Student Health Service uses a blood test to see if HIV antibodies are present in a person's blood. Antibodies are produced after infection with HIV and can take as long as three to six months to develop. On average, it takes 25 days after infection for antibodies to develop. If you test positive, it means you are infected with HIV and can infect others even though you may not look or feel sick. The tests used are over 99% accurate.
STATISTIC: The Center's for Disease Control (CDC) estimate that 650,000 to 900,000 people in the U.S. are living with HIV infection and about 200,000 of them don't know they have HIV.
You may want to consider getting tested if you have:
It is recommended that you wait 3-6 months after you think you were exposed to HIV to get tested (it can take that long for antibodies to develop).
Confidential testing is available at the Illinois State University Student Health Service. The McLean County Health Department offers anonymous HIV testing. Ask both departments about the cost.
With confidential testing, your test results are kept in your medical records. No one can be given your results without your written permission (except as required by state law).
If you are concerned about privacy and discrimination, you may prefer an anonymous test. An anonymous test means that a person's name or other identifying information is not recorded to link test results to individuals. Code numbers and fictitious names are used so that only those being tested can find out their own test results.
An appointment can be made at the Illinois State University Student Health Service by calling 438-2778 (APPT). The appointment clerk will ask some questions. Your test appointment and return appointment for your results will both be scheduled at this time. You have the choice of anonymous or confidential testing.
The McLean County Health Department also offers confidential and anonymous testing. Call the Health Department at 888-5435 to ask about HIV antibody testing.
The test is done in three steps at the Student Health Service.
A negative result means than no HIV antibodies were found in your blood. This usually means you are not infected. It could also mean that you are infected, but the test was negative because your body has not yet developed enough antibodies to be detected.
To be sure, it is recommended that you wait three to six months after you think you were exposed to HIV to get retested. During that time, keep from engaging in behaviors that put you at risk for HIV such as unprotected anal, vaginal, or oral sex, or sharing needles or syringes.
A positive test result means HIV antibodies were detected, you are infected with HIV, and you can infect others. It does NOT mean you have AIDS. AIDS is a result of HIV that may take several years to develop. You may want to ask about medications and treatment that are available to help slow down the progression of HIV.
