CHASI’s HIV Counseling, Testing and Referral
Program
CHASI’s HIV
Counseling, Testing and Referral (HIV CTR) program provides free, confidential,
private one-on-one counseling and testing to individuals interested in learning
if they have been infected with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), the virus
that (if left untreated) can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)
and a variety of illnesses associated with HIV/AIDS. CHASI additionally makes referrals to
all needed services such as medical care, supportive counseling, benefits
assistance and more, regardless of whether a person is HIV-positive.
The “test for
HIV” is actually an “HIV antibody test”, a test for the
antibodies that your immune system produces in reaction to HIV entering your
bloodstream. It takes 4—12
weeks before enough antibodies can be produced by your immune system to be
“seen” by an HIV antibody test. On very rare occasion, it takes up to
six months for antibodies to develop in large enough quantities to be
positively identified by the antibody test.
Because HIV is transmitted from
one person to another through sexual activities and through sharing syringes
(needles) for intravenous drug use, during an HIV Counseling and Testing
session, a trained CTR worker will ask you questions about what activities you
think might have put you at risk for becoming infected with HIV. Discussing such personal information
with another person can be challenging, but being open about your experiences
will help the CTR worker counsel you about how to reduce the risk of becoming
infected with HIV and other diseases, and if you are infected how to avoid
transmitting HIV and other diseases to your partners after you leave the HIV
Counseling, Testing and Referral session.
CHASI conducts “rapid
tests,” in which you, the client, uses a flat
pad (swab) to gently swab completely around the inside of your mouth, the both
upper and lower gums, one time around to collect mucosal cells. The swab is
then inserted into a vial with fluid that is sensitive to HIV antibodies. After 20 minutes the result of the test
will be given to you by your Counseling, Testing and Referral (CTR)
worker. There are three possible
results for the test: a Non-Reactive
(Negative) Result, an Invalid Result, or a Reactive (Preliminary
Positive) Result.
A Non-Reactive
(Negative) means that no antibodies to HIV were detected. HIV antibodies
may be absent during the “window period” as stated above,
4—12 weeks after possible infection of HIV. Follow-up testing may be
necessary if indicated by risk factors presented during the counseling session.
An Invalid
Result means that a problem occurred running the test or a substance
interfered with the specimen. If this occurs, an additional test should be
administered.
A Reactive
(Preliminary Positive) Result means that the test result suggests that
antibodies to HIV were found, and that you may be HIV Positive, i.e. infected
with the HIV virus. If your test
has a Reactive (Preliminary Positive) Result, we strongly advise that you take
a Confirmatory Test, which we will immediately provide to you, free of
charge. It’s an additional
oral fluid test that stays in your mouth for about 3 minutes and is then sent
to a medical laboratory for highly sensitive testing to confirm that you truly
are HIV Positive. Unlike the preliminary test, results are not immediately
available.
It
takes one week for CHASI to receive results back from the medical lab, and we
will give you an appointment to return to learn your Confirmatory test
result. If the Confirmatory test
comes back Positive, then you are HIV Positive. This does not necessarily mean that you
have developed AIDS, although if left untreated, you could eventually become
ill with serious illnesses.
However, there are important steps that you should take, including
getting a medical examination as soon as possible. During the HIV CTR session, we will
discuss a variety of medical and other resources you can choose from so that
you can get the kinds of care you need if you are HIV Positive. We will help you take all of the steps
you need to take, and we will also provide you with information about how to
avoid transmitting HIV to other people.
CHASI Provides HIV
Counseling, Testing and Referral services, free of charge, at the following
places and times:
We also offer HIV Testing on the Mobile Health Unit. For more information click here.
If you have any questions about HIV testing, feel
free to call our HIV Counseling and Testing Program at (718) 808-1300 or send
an email to sharon.jensen@chasiny.org