HIV Antibody Testing

Who should get tested for HIV?

A person should consider testing if they:

• Have had any unprotected sex (oral, anal or vaginal) with someone whose HIV status they did not know.

• Shared needles or syringes or had unprotected sex with someone who has.

• Has ever had a Sexually Transmitted Disease (i.e. herpes, chlamydia, warts).

• Have hemophilia or had unprotected sex with someone who has hemophilia.

• Had a blood transfusion between 1978 and March 1985, (before blood
  was tested for HIV) or had unprotected sex with someone who has.

Where can a person get tested?

    For information on confidential HIV counseling and testing, contact the La Crosse County Health Department at (608)785-9872.  The cost for testing is $15. Tests are performed on Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays by appointment only.

How do they test for HIV infection?

There are currently two main ways to test for HIV infection.  A blood or oral fluid sample is taken to detect the presence of HIV antibodies, not the virus.

 What is Stat Pak?

Stat Pak is a brand name for the rapid HIV test that we use to screen for HIV Antibodies.  This is a finger-stick blood sample which yields a preliminary result within 15 minutes.  If the test reads non-reactive, the test result is negative.  If the test reads reactive; further testing will have to be done.

 How can you test for HIV in your mouth if you can’t get HIV from saliva?

OraSure checks for HIV antibodies, not the virus.  A blood test works the same way.  Saliva has never been known to infect anyone with HIV.  This is NOT a saliva test.  OraSure draws antibodies out of the cheek and gum, which is used to detect HIV.

 How accurate are the HIV antibody tests?

Current blood and oral fluid tests are over 99% accurate.  However, the oral fluid test generally takes longer to detect HIV antibodies after infection than the serum (blood) test.  The serum test may detect antibodies as early as three weeks after initial infection.  All tests may take up to six months to identify infection in some individuals.

 What is the window period?

This is the period of time from infection with HIV to when a blood/oral fluid test can detect antibodies to HIV.  During the window period, a person can transmit the virus to others through sexual or blood-to-blood contact.

Both the oral fluids and Stat Pak HIV Antibody test generally take three months to detect the antibodies to HIV.

What is the ELISA?

The ELISA, the first test performed on the oral fluid or blood sample, mixes laboratory virus, a blood or oral fluid sample and certain chemicals together.  If there are antibodies to HIV in the blood, the color of the sample will change.

 What is the Western Blot?

The Western Blot test is used to confirm the indeterminate or reactive tests of the ELISA.  This test mixes HIV with the blood or oral fluid sample on pieces of special paper.  If antibodies are in the blood or oral fluid, they will show up as bands on the paper.

 When do I get the results?

If you chose an Or Sure Oral Fluid HIV test it could take two weeks for your results to return, although generally it does take less than that.  If you choose to take the Stat Pak test, the preliminary result is available in 15 minutes. 

 What do the results mean?

There are three possible results:

What is the difference between confidential and anonymous testing?

    Anonymous - (no name associated) testing means that your name is not recorded, and a code is assigned to your test and result.

    Confidential (name associated) testing means that although your name and result will be recorded,  no one can give this information out without your permission, except as required by State Law.  The result may be put in the person's medical file.

Why are people counseled before and after testing?

    One goal of testing is to provide support and education for persons being tested.  Individuals need pre-test counseling to discuss risk of HIV infection and how to protect themselves and others from becoming infected.  Pre-test counseling can also help a person make a plan to deal with their  test results.  If a person tests negative, behavior change can be discussed in the area(s) that put the person at risk in the first place.  Also, counseling can provide support and referral for individuals who test positive.