3.3. How does the testing process work?

Pre-test counselling
* Before the test, you will be prepared for what lies ahead if you test HIV positive.
* You will be able to get as much information as possible about the testing procedure.
* The health worker should discuss the reasons why you need to be tested.
* He/she will also explain what it means to have an HIV positive result or an HIV negative one.
* Finally, he/she will ask your permission (consent) to be tested.
HIV test
Test results for HIV are accurate more than 99.5% of the time. There are many different types of tests:
* Rapid tests: this can be a blood test or a saliva (oral) test. The blood test is used in many public health sites in South Africa.
- Antibody test - this test does not look for the actual HI virus but rather if there is an immune response in the form of antibodies. An antibody is a special protein that is made in our bodies to help fight the virus.
- Same-day diagnosis and counselling.
- Test takes under 30 minutes.
* ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) or EIA: this test is a more accurate test that is done in a laboratory.
- It uses enzymes (proteins that produce a bio-chemical reaction) together with various chemicals to detect foreign substances that cause the body to produce antibodies.
- Antibody test.
- Can be used to confirm the rapid test.
* Western blot (WB)
- Antibody test.
- Can be used to confirm the rapid test.
- Expensive test.
* P24
- Used to diagnose HIV in babies.
- Used by blood banks to screen donated blood.
Post-test counselling
* After the test, the health worker will give you your HIV test result.
* If you are HIV positive, you will get immediate emotional support and counselling.
* You will also be given advice on where you can go for ongoing medical and emotional support.
* If you are HIV negative, you will get information on how you can stay negative.
See 2. How to prevent HIV infection


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