Health Information
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Test
How To Prepare
You do not need to do anything before you have this test.
A test for HIV infection can't 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.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference November 7, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference Peter Shalit, MD, PhD - Internal Medicine |
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