Not everyone knows their HIV status. When you do not know your status and do not use condoms when you have sex, you are at risk of getting HIV or giving it to your partner. That is why you and your partner should test together before you have sex.
If the results of the first test say that you do not have HIV, wait for three months and then have another test. Then you will be sure of your status.
If you have sex before the final test result, always use condoms.
Did you know that HIV is transmitted easily in the first three weeks after a person has been infected? You cannot tell that you have been infected in these three weeks.
Get tested
You can look fine for many years when you first have HIV in your body. The only way to tell if you have HIV is by having the HIV test.
Your right to counselling
- You should go to a clinic when you are thinking about having an HIV test.
- The health worker will explain the test to you, and give you the information that will help you decide whether or not to have the test.
- This is called pre-test counselling. It is your right to have pre-test counselling.
- Should you decide to test for HIV, the health worker will take a sample of your blood. Most clinics can give you the results of the test within ten minutes. The HIV test is free at government clinics.
After the test, the health worker will give you your results and explain what the results mean to you. This includes explaining to you what to do next if your results are HIV positive.
This is called post-test counselling, it is your right to get post-test counselling.
Your right to confidentiality
The results of your HIV test are confidential. This means that it is against the law for a health worker to tell anyone the results of your test without your permission.
6 Comments
I like your concise message for couple’s testing. It focuses on those who haven’t started sex.
My other comment is …..
Please edit the last paragraph for typo.
right not right to tell anyone. It is in the following sentence.
Remember: If you are HIV positive it is your right not right to tell anyone. But it may comfort you to tell someone you trust.
Selam
@ Selam. Thanks for both points! edit done.
I am concernd about my status and scared to get HIV test,because i was raped 2000,and i found out 2009 that the person was HIV positive,are the any chances that i may not be +,i was 12 years of age.
Hi Carol
I’m sorry about what happened to you. The person may have gotten HIV long after he raped you, considering that it’s been almost a decade. Or he may have been positive. You can’t know for sure. Therefore, for your own peace of mind, and for your health, I would strongly suggest that you do get tested.
Here’s an article that may address some of your fears to get tested.
http://www.onelovesouthernafrica.org/index.php/dealing-with-the-fear-of-taking-the-hiv-test/
Good luck!
in our country you liable to have hiv test to know your status and be responsible.so be positive towards your assumption..thats a brother and sister for life.
Please advise me where to get a test done and results same day…I live in cape town, RSA