Getting tested for HIV
Getting tested for HIV is easy, quick and can be done at several different types of clinics. Whether you get tested regularly or are concerned after a particular sexual encounter, it is always a good idea to know your HIV status.
Early diagnosis makes a big difference, as today's effective treatments mean that people living with HIV who receive treatment can live long and healthy lives. A nice bonus of treatment is also that HIV cannot be sexually transmitted at undetectable viral levels.
Two common testing methods
There are two main ways to get tested for HIV:
- Lab test
A traditional lab test involves taking a blood sample from your arm and sending it to a laboratory for analysis. You will receive the results within a few days to a week, depending on the clinic. - Quick test
In a rapid test, a small drop of blood is taken from the finger and analyzed on the spot. The test gives an answer within a few minutes. The test gives a strong indication of whether you have HIV or not, but it is not diagnostic.
Window period - when does the test give a reliable answer?
An HIV test does not give a definite answer immediately after a possible risk. There is a window period, which is the time it takes for a test to detect a possible HIV infection. This is because different people develop antibodies at different rates. Usually, HIV can be detected before the window period has passed. However, the window period needs to have passed in order to trust that a negative test result means that you have not contracted HIV.
- Med moderna labbtester kan man upptäcka hiv inom ett par dagar. Efter sex veckor från senaste tillfället som du hade sex kan man lita på att ett negativt provresultat betyder att du inte lever med hiv.
- For rapid tests, the window period is eight weeks. Even rapid tests can detect HIV earlier, and then show a positive result.
If you have had sexual contact and are tested before the window period is over, it may be good to do another test later to be absolutely sure.
What happens if the test is positive?
Getting a positive test result can bring up a lot of emotions - shock, worry and a lot of questions about the future. If you have taken a rapid test, the test result needs to be confirmed bytaking a traditional lab test. If you took your rapid test at a clinic that does not offer lab tests, you will be referred to a clinic that does. If this test is also positive, you will be referred to a doctor who will make a diagnosis and offer to start treatment. In connection with the doctor's visit, you will meet a counselor who will guide you through what HIV means today.
Treatment is usually quick and, thanks to today's medicines, you can expect to live a long and healthy life. Treatment normally lowers the levels of the virus in your body to the point where they become undetectable. When you are on treatment and your virus levels are undetectable, you cannottransmit HIV during sex - an important safeguard for both you and any partners you may have.</span
If you need support, there are several organizations that offer counselling, such as various departments of Noaks Ark, Posithiva Gruppen, Positiva gruppen Syd and Positiva Gruppen Väst. At some clinics, such as Venhälsan, you can also connect with others living with HIV through discussion groups and counseling.</span
Why early diagnosis is important
Early diagnosis and treatment reduces the risk of HIV damaging the immune system. Therefore, it is always better to get tested and possibly diagnosed at an early stage.
Diagnosing HIV can be overwhelming, but today's medications allow people to live a normal life despite their diagnosis. Medication also makes virus levels immeasurable, which means that HIV cannot be transmitted during sex.
Where can you get tested?
In addition to health centers, there are several clinics where you can get tested for free:
- HIV/STI clinics - specialized clinics such as Vein health in Stockholm and similar clinics in other cities.
- Youth clinics - for young people up to a certain age (varies by region).
- Low-threshold clinics - such as Sexperterna/Testpoint and Checkpoint.</span
Many clinics also offer counseling. Here you can see a map of testing clinics in Sweden!
Regular testing
Whether you have sex with or without a condom, it is a good idea to get tested regularly once or twice a year depending on how sexually active you are. Keeping track of your status is an important part of taking care of your own health - and that of your sexual partners.
So why wait? Find a clinic near you and take control of your HIV status today.
