HIV TESINGThree Types of HIV Testing Available in CanadaGetting tested for HIV, and knowing your status, is an important health benefit. Ontario offers many choices in HIV testing. Anonymous Testing Program Anonymous testing is one of the three ways – along with nominal testing and non-nominal testing (See Testing by Physicians on this page) – that people in Ontario can be tested for HIV. In anonymous testing, the name or identity of the person being tested is not requested, recorded or reported. The test is ordered using a code known only to the person being tested. Because of the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS, some people are anxious about being tested. Anonymous testing offers them a way to be tested without revealing their identity. Although anonymous HIV testing sites do not ask for clients’ names, they do ask for information about the person’s age, gender and risk factors that is used to help understand how HIV is spreading. A person’s anonymity is only guaranteed during the testing process. If people who test anonymously are diagnosed with HIV and decide to seek treatment, they can no longer remain anonymous. They will have to give their name and health card number to receive health services. Anonymous HIV testing is only offered at 50 anonymous testing sites across the province. Like all other types of HIV testing in Ontario, anonymous testing includes pre- and post-test counselling and referrals to other services and supports. For information on an anonymous testing site near you, call the AIDS Hotline at : Point of Care HIV Testing Point of care testing is done by pricking your finger and testing your blood while you wait. If you test negative – that is, the point of care test says you are not infected – you receive your results immediately. If you test reactive – that is, the result of the point of care test is not certain – the clinic will take a blood sample and send it to the public health laboratory for standard testing. It can take up to two weeks to get the final results, and you will have to return to the clinic to get your results. Point of care HIV testing is available free at 60 sites across Ontario, including all anonymous HIV testing sites, some public health units’ sexually transmitted infections clinics and some community health centres. For information on a POC testing site nearest you, call the AIDS Hotline at: Standard HIV Testing Standard HIV testing is done by taking a blood sample and sending it to the public health laboratory. It can take up to two weeks to get the results, and you have to return to your doctor’s office or the clinic to receive the results. Testing by Physicians All doctors in Ontario can order HIV tests. They can order the test using your name (nominal testing) or using a code (non-nominal testing) that they can link back to your name. Prenatal HIV Testing Program All pregnant women in Ontario are offered HIV testing as part of their pre-natal care. When pregnant women with HIV are diagnosed early, they can receive treatment for themselves and treatment for their babies. Prenatal testing has helped prevent more than 60 babies in Ontario from becoming infected. In the past, about 25 per cent of babies born to women with HIV were infected. With prenatal testing and treatment, fewer than two per cent of babies born to women with HIV are infected. See your physician for further information. TORONTO — Health Canada is advising consumers not to use the Clean Testing HIV Home Test Kit, or any HIV home test kits, as they are unlicensed medical devices and may provide false results. The Clean Testing HIV Home Test Kit,is advertised as a self-test kit to determine whether an individual has been infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). "This kit is unlicensed and has not been evaluated by Health Canada for safety and effectiveness," the federal department said Monday in an advisory. "Inaccurate test results may fail to indicate HIV in an infected individual or indicate HIV when none is present." Under the Medical Devices Regulations, home HIV test kits require a device licence issued by Health Canada before they can be advertised or sold. It is illegal to advertise or sell unlicensed medical devices of this class in Canada. Currently, there are no HIV test kits that have been authorized for sale for home use in Canada. Health Canada has asked Clean Testing to stop selling the device and to notify all customers not to use the kit. The department will continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate action. Canadians should not purchase these products via the Internet or from any other source. Anyone concerned about his or her HIV status should talk to their doctor. Those who have used these test kits should also consult their physician to evaluate the need to conduct proper testing. As well, Health Canada says anyone who has used a home HIV test kit should contact their doctor for follow-up testing and counselling. Home |
HIV Testing Awareness Days first week of JUNE. Watch for more information.
If you have participated in high risk behaviour such as having unprotected penetration sex or shared injection drug needles or supplies, consider getting an anonymous HIV Test to know your status.
27% of those infected with HIV do not know they are infected.
DO YOU KNOW YOUR HIV STATUS?