HIV/AIDS rapid test with blood drop
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VCT and HIV testing: top five facts

Getting tested for HIV is a scary experience. Even if you are certain not to be infected, the 15-minute wait for the result can be excruciating.

​Also, there are also other worries: Are the tests reliable? What about your privacy? What happens if you are positive? We’ve got the answers for you.

  1. VCT: How does it work?

    Voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) is one of the most popular ways of getting tested for HIV. It’s fast: the results are usually available within 15 minutes.
    The counselling happens over two sessions, one before the results and a quick one after. You will discuss how one gets HIV/AIDS, how the test works, and what to do once you know your status.
    If you are negative, the focus will be on avoiding the disease in the future. If you are positive, the discussion will centre on avoiding infecting others, treatment possibilities and taking care of yourself.
    Together, the sessions shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes and are usually free of charge.

  2. What are your rights?

    You have the right to know your status and going to a VCT centre is an easy way to do it. Still, many people worry about whether other people will learn about their status. But no: just like a doctor, a VCT counsellor is obliged to protect your privacy.
    Even the government won’t find out about your status. VCT centres don’t pass any names to the Ministry of Health, only the total number of HIV-positive test results. The fact that you are not given your results in writing is another way VCT centres make sure that your results stay private. The counsellor might pass on your name to the HIV clinic they refer you to – but these clinics are also obliged to protect your privacy.

  3. The test

    The test involves pricking your finger for a drop of blood. Or alternatively, your mouth’s insides are gently scraped with a cotton swab to get cells. These samples are then put on the test stick. Meanwhile, the counsellor will explain how to interpret your results. These rapid tests are very accurate, but very occasionally they show so-called false-positive or discrepant results. That’s why every person who tests positive has to have additional blood taken for more rigorous testing that takes an additional two weeks.

    The test result doesn’t change if you have taken ARVs, PEP or any other medication since the test doesn’t test the presence of the virus itself, but rather the HIV-antibodies produced by your immune system.

  4. I’m positive. Now what?

    Getting a positive test result is a shock. You will feel angry, scared, worried, terrified, or numb. But it’s important to talk and listen to the counsellor. They provide important information on your next steps. They will also refer you to an HIV clinic. You should definitely go there since healthcare providers can make sure that you live positively for a long time.
    You will also need to tell your partner and other relevant people about your status. This is called ‘disclosure’. It’s important to remember that the diagnosis says nothing about you as a person. You aren’t a bad person just because you caught a disease.

  5. I may have been infected. What do I do?

    If you think you may have been infected, you should immediately see a doctor to get PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis), a drug regime that can protect you from infection. Then, unfortunately, you have to wait. It takes about 6 to 12 weeks for your body to react to the virus in the body. Only then, will your immune system have produced enough antibodies to show up on a test. This is called the ‘window period’.
    If you get tested before that, the test might be negative even if you are infected. So you need to wait three months before you get tested. If that test is negative, you still need to get another test three months later. Only if both tests are negative, can you be sure that you are not infected.

More tips for testing:

  • Your VCT counsellor can also give you advice on family planning and general STD prevention. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions.
  • If you are pregnant, you should always get tested for HIV. In case you are HIV-positive, it’s best to know as early as possible so steps can be taken to protect the baby.
  • Liverpool VCT in Nairobi offers testing for people with special needs, such as PWDs. To visit their center, find directions here
  • If you don’t know where to find a VCT centre, use our ‘Find a Clinic‘ section.
  • Everybody is scared to get tested. That’s normal. Just tell yourself that not knowing your status is much scarier than knowing it.
  • You can get tested together with your partner in special couple’s sessions. It might be less scary that way and you can learn together how you can avoid getting infected.

 

Share your experiences of getting tested. Leave a comment below or join the discussion on Facebook.

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Recent Comments (87)

  1. HI! is it possible for a hiv
    HI! is it possible for a hiv positive girl 2 have a baby with a negative guy? and how can one know the status of a partner who is on arvs becoz i heard that they test negative

    1. Hi John, the result of the
      Hi John, the result of the test is not changed by the ARVs. The test looks for antibodies to the HI-virus, and they will be present regardless of ARVs, as your immune system starts producing them when you are first infected. As for getting pregnant, check out what our sex-expert Valentine has to say about this here: http://lovematters.co.ke/news/making-baby-when-hiv-positive
      Let us know if you have any more questions!

  2. Thanks for the information.
    Thanks for the information. what if you are infected u get opportunistic infection like cronic fungal & u have all signs of aids. Is there a probability of recovering after taking arvs & which can be the estimated time for this.

    1. Hi John, you will never fully
      Hi John, you will never fully recover from HIV/AIDS, even on ARVs. If you get opportunistic infections, that means that the virus has already progressed to AIDS, as you said. Ideally, a patient should start ARVs before he or she gets AIDS. And the ARVs won’t treat the opportunistic infections (OIs), they should be treated on their own. Taking ARVs should prevent you from getting OIs for a while, as they keep your immune system functioning. Getting OIs shows that the immune system can no longer do its job properly. Once a patient is on ARVs and on medication for the OIs, he or she should feel better, but it all depends on which OI and how far the immune system is able to recover, so a prediction is really difficult, also regarding time. Sorry we can’t give you a straight answer, but the recovery from the OI and the time needed depends on too many different factors and will differ from patient to patient. Does this help?

  3. i befriended a girl five
    i befriended a girl five years ago.after a year she discovered she is positive wen i got her pregnant,we lived on and heard unprotected sex for almost 3 yrs,almost on daily basis nowing our life has come to an end.after giving birth to a boy(+ as well) we were tested and i was -ve.i lost her a year after,but i av moved on with my son upto now 5yrs and on arvs.av regularly tested myself (last was 2months ago)bt am still -ve.does it mean am safe coz it has really affected my sex life in fear of passing it on.advice plse

    1. I am so sorry to hear that,
      I am so sorry to hear that, Solo.
      If all the tests so far have been negative, then you are indeed negative. You have been quite lucky. Please use condoms or get tested with your new partners from now on, to avoid getting infected after all. Good luck!

      1. Thanks. But is there any…
        Thanks. But is there any possibility that i may test positive after those five months?

        1. It is possible to test…

          It is possible to test positive after the window period is done.

    1. We are so glad to hear this.

      We are so glad to hear this.

  4. What are the first signs of
    What are the first signs of HIV in what period of time after infection???

    1. Hi Stano, HIV infection comes
      Hi Stano, HIV infection comes in three stages. The first phase last about 2 to 4 weeks right after infection. Some people develop flu-like symptoms: fever, joint pain, fatigue, headaches, sore throat and/or rashes. Those are the first symptoms, and some people don’t even feel them. Then, there won’t be any symptoms for an average of 8 years. That’s the second stage, the latency stage. The last stage is AIDS. That means that your body’s immune system is so damaged that it can’t fight off infections anymore. That’s when you get so-called opportunistic infections. Those are illnesses that normally would be fended off by your immune system, but because that’s not working properly, it can’t. Unless someone is on medication, the last stage will last about two years. If antiretroviraldrugs are taken, your immune system will be supported, and the life expectancy is then much longer. Does this answer your question?

  5. Yes,thanks for your answer.
    Yes,thanks for your answer.

  6. How long does it take or the
    How long does it take or the perind take to know that you are +ve

    1. Hi there,

      Hi there,
      the test itself takes about 15 minutes, including the counseling half an hour.
      After you had unprotected sex, you should wait around six weeks to go to a VCT. In that time period, your body should have made enough antibodies to be detected by the test, if you are positive. It is however advisable to go again after another six weeks (three months after the unprotected intercourse) to make absolutely sure you are negative. Does this help?

  7. We have signs like fever
    We have signs like fever,headaches,joint pain,fatigue,how will you differentiate from common malaria?Rashes are common where specifically appears on body?

    1. Hi Romeo,

      Hi Romeo,
      if you have those symptoms, you need to see a doctor. You should not try to differentiate yourself, only blood tests can show what is really going on!
      Good luck!

  8. is it possible to have sex
    is it possible to have sex with a hiv + lady and not infected without using a condom.

    1. Yes, Charly, it is possible.
      Yes, Charly, it is possible. Not every sexual contact with an infected person leads to infection, especially if her viral load is low, and you don’t have any wounds or STDs.
      However, that doesn’t mean there is no risk. You might be fine once, or even ten or a hundred times, but you could also get infected next time. So always use a condom!

  9. am worried, i met this lady
    am worried, i met this lady she lied to me that she works in a restaurant only to find out that she really works in a pub, bt now the prblm is, we had alot of kisses, infact deep kisses, can that one still pass the virus, bt i have not said that i know her status…

    1. Freddie,

      Freddie,
      no, there is no risk of passing the virus on through kissing, unless both of you have bleeding wounds on your lips or mouth.

  10. can you have other STDs test
    can you have other STDs test at vct

    1. Generally, it’s only HIV/AIDS
      Generally, it’s only HIV/AIDS.

  11. hi,what if my finger has a
    hi,what if my finger has a small wound and i check my hand with infected person and his/her hand has sweat and it enders my wound will I be infected too

    1. Agnes,

      Agnes,
      no. Sweat does not contain the virus.

  12. I had an protected sex with a
    I had an protected sex with a lady only to find out ltr that she is positive.I went for a PEP fearing to b infected but was told to buy the.drugs wch ltr proved too expensive to afford. How can I free myself frm this mess. I tasted neg n she was pos .Kindly help

    1. Charchil,

      Charchil,
      how long ago was this?

  13. I had unprotected sex with
    I had unprotected sex with someone I am not sure of his status, I had no stds nor wound. It took less than a minute for him to release the sperm. If this man was positive is there possibilities that I contracted virus?

    1. Anne,

      Anne,
      to make sure that you didn’t get infected (if he was positive), it would be best to take an HIV test, if it has been six weeks since you had sex with him.

  14. I had sex with a lady whom i
    I had sex with a lady whom i suspect was positive bt I rremove my sperms b4 her I went for testing 7 montha later bt – ve am I save? bt now I have severe headache en shortbreath wat nw

    1. Victa,

      Victa,
      yes, if it’s been that long between having unprotected sex and the test, the result will have been reliable.

  15. is pain on the right side of
    is pain on the right side of the neck a sign of HIV virus

    1. Victa,

      Victa,
      it could be the sign of many things. If it doesn’t get better, see a doctor. If you suspect you could be HIV positive, please get tested.

  16. Hi love matters,I have had
    Hi love matters,I have had sex with a partner whom we have not tested for our status for one month…almost on daily basis but come to think of it,I urged her that we go for a test and she refuses.Only to find that she only goes and comes to show me a minor-cut on her middle finger that she has been tested and found negative.She says that she gets tested it at public hospital Kitengela,Nairobi but the experts do not issue any HIV TEST CARD nor accept the one being tested even capture the results with his/her handset for partners approval.Advise please am so scared upon the matter.

    1. Rashid,

      Rashid,
      VCT is always confidential. There usually aren’t records of the status; that has lots to do with the stigma around it.
      What worries me is that you don’t seem to trust her, yet you have unprotected sex. And you don’t know your own status, isn’t it?
      So get tested, and until you know your results, use condoms!

  17. Hi Dr have been masturbating
    Hi Dr have been masturbating for now 4 year 2 times a day.My qtn is what are the chances of me having children and what can i do so as to stop it am fed up of it but i dont know what to do.Sir even my penis changed shape its now bent what can i do to retain it back and also one the i had sex with a chic but i dnt enjoy coz we had it almost 30 minutes.

  18. hae doc plix this is a
    hae doc plix this is a concerned guest and i kindly seek for ua expert answer.i was exposed to a hiv lady on 18/4/2016 and on the followig day i went for pep for 30 days.i got tested and was fine then i waited for another two months and tested again to mark 3mnths post exposure.so my question do i need further test. plis answer as soon as possibe

    1. Hi there, its goog that you
      Hi there, its good that you went for pep in time. You have already passed the 3 months window period. this means your results are as shown after the testing as long as you did not have further exposure.

      1. woow.thank uu very much may
        woow.thank uu very much may ourALMIGHTY GOD bless u i neva thot ur too fast that way in replying.. not like other sites..i really appreciate the work u do in educating people out there wsh u a long life so that uu can continue educating pple.ua site s vry much educating…thank uu thank uuu

        1. You are welcome . We are glad
          You are welcome . We are glad you got help. Spread the word.

  19. I want to appreciate Dr Efe …
    I want to appreciate Dr Efe for using his herbal medicine to cure my Hiv. since 3 years, I have been having this Hiv disease and it has been giving me challenges, I was so perplexed cause i have been taking several drugs to be cured but every of my effort was in vain,one morning i was browsing through the internet then i saw several testimonies about Dr. Efe curing people of their Hiv disease and immediately i contacted Dr. Efe on his email: [email protected] , told him about my troubles and he told me that i must be cured, gave me some instructions and which i rightly followed. so he prepared a herbal medicine for me and sent to me which i used for 2 weeks and everything was like a dream for me and my Hiv disease was totally gone, why don’t you contact him today and be free from your disease because he is very good and honest Doctor. contact him via email; droluefeherbalhome @ gmail . com

  20. It’s obvious some patient…
    It’s obvious some patient with HIV/CANCER are been enslaved to the antiviral and other supplementary Orthodox medicine just to help suppress the virus and not a cure. I have been with the virus since 2012 until I was introduce by a blogger who also narrated Her story online on how she was cured of Genital Herpes after using Dr Walanta Native Cure . This is a year and 2 weeks since I was delivered from HIV. All thanks to God for using this Great herbalist to heal me. I have promise to keep telling good about this. Please fill free to share Your problems with him and don’t forget to tell him I did refer you to Him. Thanks. Write him on mail [email protected] just try and see.

  21. Hi i would like to know how…
    Hi i would like to know how reliable vct testing is.. i havent tested myself for the last 10 years and went twice this year but the test came out negetive…am i truely negetive

    1. Hi Andrew, HIV tests done at…
      Hi Andrew, HIV tests done at VCT centres are reliable. They are to determine the presence of HIV in the blood as early as 14 days after exposure or infection. If you have then been give a negative result, this is your status. Is there any reason you feel you results could be different?

      1. Hi..my tongue is starting to…
        Hi..my tongue is starting to swell and i was wobdering is it hiv related or aids related.the dictor only gave me vitamin b.

        1. Hi Andrew, Swelling of your…
          Hi Andrew, Swelling of your tongue could be anything including an allergy. If you feel you have been at a risk of getting HIV visit a health centre and get tested after which you will be advised how to proceed based on your results. Check out this article;- https://lovematters.co.ke/safe-sex/stds-stis/hiv

  22. I fingured this girl I had…
    I fingured this girl I had just met about a year ago (one night stand) just finguring though.I am stupid becaue right before I did it,she took a blue pill,sth that later dawned on me must be an ARV pill.I have never in my life come in contact with someone with HIV but I’m afraid I messed up.Is it possible I contrected the disease?I fingured her for once at night and in the morning.My cutticles near my finger nails had broken skin.Is it possible I got the disease?I’m now panicking after I saw someone with full blown AIDS.Help

    1. Hi Mark, The best way to get…
      Hi Mark, The best way to get to know your HIV status is to get a HIV test. There is also now way to know if the girl you were with was HIV negative or positive and whether the pill she took was an ARV pill other than asking her to clarify. While there is a risk getting infected if there were cuts on your finger you will only get to know once you get tested. Lastly, one can leave a health and productive time even after turning HIV positive by choosing to leave positively. Start by getting to know your HIV status and then proceed based on your status.

  23. Hi…I have dated my guy…
    Hi…I have dated my guy since 2013,I took some kits and we tested,my kit turned negative and him positive,we went to vct and the same was done on two different kits and I turned negative and him positive.The previous day he had went for blood test which turned out that he had mycobacteria infection In his blood and medication was administered to him.Fo we trust the vct results or go back for another test after he finishes the medication for mycobacteria?

    1. How do one get the testing…
      How do one get the testing kit?

  24. Hi Juliet, Testing kits used…
    Hi Juliet, Testing kits used at VCT centers are accurate considering two different kits were used. They test for presence of HIV and nothing else. It is important that your partner seeks comprehensive care and treatment and that you begin to take steps to prevent transmission of HIV. There are options you can choose from including the use of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) which are drugs taken daily by the HIV negative partner to reduce the risk HIV transmission. Check out this article;- https://lovematters.co.ke/safe-sex/sti-prevention/pre-exposure-prophylaxis-top-facts

  25. hi am really young and never…
    hi am really young and never had sex before and i never though of HIV infection untill i got this assignment i want to get tested but my parents would think i had sex or something how can i get tested?

    1. Hi Kylie, it is great that…

      Hi Kylie, it is great that you are taking initiative. Perhaps you can talk to your parents about why you are considering to take a HIV test, they maybe okay with it. Also, you could visit a HIV testing centre and see whether they could be willing to get you tested considering your age especially if you won’t be accompanied by a parent. Check out this article;- https://lovematters.co.ke/safe-sex/stds-stis/vct-and-hiv-testing-top-five-facts

  26. Hi Doc,i had sex with a girl…
    Hi Doc,i had sex with a girl whom I didn’t know her status on Dec 20th, 2016, the it was a protected sex, there was an incident of condom brackage I removed it and put on another one and continued with the exercise but I assumed to take the right Chanel (going for peo) since I thought the lady was OK, the problem now began when I heard stories from friends concerning the lady, it is being rumored that she is reactive since then I have been going for tests on monthly basis but am still nonrestrictive, so I wanted to ask if there is a possibility of me being reactive to date because I have been having on and off headache, fatigue, burning sensation For a year now, it is know 15months since the exposure?

    1. Hey Tyson, first the…
      Hey Tyson, first the information you have about this lady’s HIV status is just a rumour and not validated information atleast by herself. Secondly, you have been tested multiple times and your results have been HIV negative, I suggest you trust and accept the results you have recieved from the testing centre. The symptoms you have mentioned above can be caused by a number of reasons including stress. You didn’t say where you are having the burning sensation, do seek treatment for that.

  27. The burning sensation is at…
    The burning sensation is at my back along the spinal cord

    1. Tyson, do seek treatment for…
      Tyson, do seek treatment for the pain you are experiencing on your back. We wish you well.

  28. please help i have tested…
    please help i have tested for the last 3years negitive at vct centres.but now i have a fishy odour coming from my vagina..the doctor only gave me metronadazole..but the odour is still there.what can this be?am i negetive or positive?

    1. Hey Sandra, Vaginal odor may…

      Hey Sandra, Vaginal odor may vary throughout your menstrual cycle and may be especially noticeable right after having sex. Normal sweating also can cause a vaginal odor. If you have vaginal odor without other vaginal symptoms, it’s unlikely that your vaginal odor is abnormal. Common causes of abnormal vaginal odor include bacterial infection and hygiene issues. If you’re concerned about an abnormal or persistent vaginal odor, see your doctor and have the doctor perform a vaginal exam, especially if you have other signs and symptoms such as itching, burning, irritation or discharge. To minimize vaginal odor; wash your external genital area. During regular baths or showers, use a very small amount of mild, unscented soap and lots of water and avoid douching since all healthy vaginas contain bacteria and yeast. The normal acidity of your vagina keeps bacteria and yeast in check. But douching can actually upset this delicate balance. Have a look at this article for more information;- https://lovemattersafrica.com/our-bodies/female-body/staying-clean

  29. hi can you tell me what…
    hi can you tell me what pmtct-negetive stands for?

    1. Hi Sandra, PMTCT stands for…

      Hi Sandra, PMTCT stands for Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission and this is in reference to HIV. This is a service given to Pregnant mothers which includes HIV testing for the Mother and other treatment that helps prevent HIV Transmission from the mother to the unborn baby including transmission that may happen after the birth of the baby. I am not able to tell what this meant because I do not know the context. You may want to talk to you health provider for the clarify.

  30. can an HIV positive person…
    can an HIV positive person test negative after she or he has been on medication for some time?

    1. Hi Boi, HIV doesn’t have a…

      Hi Boi, HIV doesn’t have a cure. For a person to test HIV positive and then HIV Negative after taking medication would mean they have been cured which is not possible today. Treatment however, will help ensure one is healthy, stopping infections from occurring by strengthening their immune system. Check out this article;- https://lovemattersafrica.com/safe-sex/stds-stis/hiv

  31. can an HIV positive person…
    can an HIV positive person test negative after she or he has been on medication for some time?

    1. Hi Boi, HIV doesn’t have a…

      Hi Boi, HIV doesn’t have a cure. For a person to test HIV positive and then HIV Negative after taking medication would mean they have been cured which is not possible today. Treatment however, will help ensure one is healthy, stopping infections from occurring by strengthening their immune system. Check out this article;- https://lovemattersafrica.com/safe-sex/stds-stis/hiv

  32. My partner of 5 years has…
    My partner of 5 years has just disclosed that he was tested recently and he found that he is HIV positive. I am angry, confused, disappointed… We have a 2 year old son. Could he have been infected? Where can I take him for a test?

    1. Hello Sharon, so sorry about…

      Hello Sharon, so sorry about this. You may want to begin by getting to know your HIV status and then also get your baby tested. Usually, any health facility should be able to provide you with a HIV test including information on what steps to talk after learning your status and that of your child. If uncertain, have a look at the following article for more options in Kenya. https://lovemattersafrica.com/get-help/clinics Lastly, it is important that you discuss with your health provider the way forward depending on the outcome of your test. If you need to speak to someone, check out this article for options of counselling services providers that you can reach out to for help. https://lovemattersafrica.com/get-help/helpline-and-counseling

  33. hi
    can a person do sex with…

    hi
    can a person do sex with a women who is positive and avoid being infected even without using condoms? kindly assist, coz I didn’t believe.I engaged in a rush sex with a lady for a very short time and later on I realized that she was positive, after 3months I tested myself but was negative I stayed for another 3months and found negative is that possible or the results are wrong?

    1. Hello Korir, there is…

      Hello Korir, there is nothing one can do to avoid getting infected if they have unprotected sex with a person who is HIV positive. The way to protect oneself is to use protection, in this case condoms. It’s only by chance that one will have unprotected sex with a HIV positive person and they don’t get infected. The results you received are accurate since with the current HIV testing kits one can determine their true HIV status after just 14 days from the date of exposure. If indeed the other person was HIV positive, then it was just by chance that you didn’t get infected and you need  to protect yourself in future by using condoms correctly and consistently. Check out the following article;- https://lovemattersafrica.com/safe-sex/sti-prevention/staying-safe

  34. are vct hiv testing free or…
    are vct hiv testing free or there an amount you have to pay to get your test done

    1. Hey Kev, HIV testing in…

      Hey Kev, HIV testing in government hospital is free however some private facilities do charge for the service. If you wish to access a free service, check with the government facility most convenient to to you. 

  35. fast time to taste was today…
    fast time to taste was today before the test i felt boom but after i saw it interesting but i was very keen on those lines lol. i encourage youths to taste more and more times as possible.

    1. Hey Meshack, thank you for…

      Hey Meshack, thank you for sharing your experience. Getting tested for HIV is an important decision especially if one has never been tested. 

  36. Hello, I’d an unprotected…
    Hello, I’d an unprotected sex 11days ago. Can I still use the PEP? And can I get it in Nigeria?

    1. Hello Teflon, Post Exposure…

      Hello Teflon, Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) can only work when taken within the first 72 hours after one has been exposed to to HIV. In your case, this time has already elapsed and PEP would not be useful to you. It is however offered in government run hospitals in Nigeria. Have a look at the following article for additional information on PEP;- https://lovemattersafrica.com/safe-sex/sti-prevention/preventing-hivaids-with-pep

  37. Could it be HIV after having…
    Could it be HIV after having sex with a partner you are not sure of her status, and after the unprotected sex, you have skin rashes like a week after but after using medicated soap it disappears. Also, how can one get the testing kit to test it himself?

    1. Hi Josh, a rush could mean…

      Hi Josh, a rush could mean anything including a mild irritation. It is thus not the best way to determine ones HIV status. Getting a test done is the best way to do this. There are sold testing kits that are sold at selected pharmacies. Do check with your preferred pharmacy to see if you will be able to find the kits. Have a look at the following article for additional information;- https://lovemattersafrica.com/safe-sex/stds-stis/my-first-time-hiv-self-test 

  38. Hello Doc,
    I had an…

    Hello Doc,
    I had an unprotected sex with a lady I barely knew. 2 weeks after, I had penile discharge,and thought I had caught gonorrhea, and treated it using antibiotics. Meanwhile, I developed oral thrush, and was having some flu-like symptoms, and started fearing that I had also caught HIV from her. I also developed this occasional burning sensation in my fingers, which I have been attributing to a possible infection. I ran a series of tests and got an HBsAg +ve result. But after running several HIV tests: fourth generation ELISA antigen/antibody test at 9 weeks and 5 days after the exposure, non-reactive at 0.14; antibody test at 12 weeks (84 days), negative; antibody test after 90 days, negative. I am recently having some flu-like symptoms and confused. Please, are the tests enough to rule out HIV?

    1. Hello Joe, thank you for…

      Hello Joe, thank you for reaching out to us. It is understandable that you would be worried considering the circumstances. However, the ELISA test has confirmed that you are negative and is a true reflection of the situation. 

  39. Hi,,,,what if you test hiv…
    Hi,,,,what if you test hiv negative after 3 months of infection

    1. Hello Anonymous, after…

      Hello Anonymous, after infection or after exposure.

  40. Thanks for the information

    Thanks for the information

    But me i have a girl we have now datted for 6months and since we met she does not want me to know her status, everytime i bring that story of visiting the hospital she denies. What should i do??

    1. Hello Yusuf, so sorry to…

      Hello Yusuf, so sorry to hear you are having problems doing this together. The truth is, for a lot of people getting tested is scary. Have a conversation with her about her possible fears. You could also just go to the VCT for the counselling and go for testing at a later date.

  41. I’m in love with this guy in…
    I’m in love with this guy in school who should i tell him or i wait for him to come

    1. Hi Khosa, 

      I say do what…

      Hi Khosa, 

      I say do what makes you happy! It could be that he has not noticed you thus you can start giving some hints. Do not be shocked if he does not feel the same way. If you can make the first move, then go for it, some men are actually attracted to women who can start conversations and express themselves. However you choose to approach this, be open to either a yes or a no. Good luck!

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