Abstract
HIV testing is the only way to determine for certain whether someone is infected with HIV, the virus which causes AIDS. Infected individuals may not have symptoms for many years. Many individuals are not tested for HIV until they or their sex or needle-sharing partner develop an AIDS-related illness. Some HIV-positive women may not obtain a test until they seek prenatal care or give birth. HIV testing offers an opportunity for infected individuals to find out they are infected and gain access to treatment that may help to delay disease progression and significantly improve health outcomes. For infected pregnant women, it may provide a viable opportunity for treatment to prevent transmission of HIV to their child. For those who think they may have been exposed to HIV, having a test and receiving a negative result can put their mind at ease. Anyone who is sexually active or using and sharing injection equipment should get tested regularly for HIV.
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Suggested Readings
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O’Shea, D.J. (2013). HIV Testing. In: Loue, S. (eds) Mental Health Practitioner's Guide to HIV/AIDS. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5283-6_45
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5283-6_45
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