Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Test

HIV Test

How To Prepare

No special preparation is needed before having this test.

A test for HIV infection cannot be done without your consent. Most doctors offer counseling before and after the test to discuss:

• How the test is done, what the results mean, and any other tests that may be done.
• How the diagnosis of an HIV infection may affect your social, emotional, professional, and financial outlooks.
• The benefits of early diagnosis and treatment.

Before the test, it is important to tell your doctor how and where to contact you when your test results are ready. If your doctor has not contacted you within 1 to 2 weeks of your test, call and ask for your results.

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: February 17, 2009
Medical Review:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Peter Shalit, MD, PhD - Internal Medicine
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