STIs and HIV - FAQs

Hey, I was just wondering.. if you get an anonymous test for HIV/AIDS and it comes out positive, what happens after the test?

Before answering your question, let’s talk about what is an anonymous HIV test. Anonymous testing can only be done at specific anonymous test sites, not at a family doctor's office where you need to use your Health Card. Anonymous HIV testing is where you receive a code number, and your full name is not used for the test. Your health card is NOT required. Only a first name is used (and that doesn’t have to be your “real” name) and only you get the results. There will be no record of the test in your medical record. You receive counselling before and after the test.

The Region of Peel can do anonymous HIV testing two ways. Point of Care (POC) testing or via a blood sample that is sent to a lab.

With POC testing, you get the result, either reactive or non-reactive, in five minutes. If the result is reactive, a blood sample is drawn and sent to the lab to confirm the result. POC testing is very accurate.

If you choose not to have POC testing, a blood sample is sent to the lab and the result is available in 2-3 weeks. You must call the clinic to book an appointment to receive the result. Because the test is anonymous and the clinic does not have your telephone number or address, it is up to you to come back to receive the result of the test.

Now to answer your question about what happens if you get an anonymous HIV test and it comes out positive. If a person tests for HIV anonymously and the test result is positive the client will be told their result in the clinic by the nurse and/or physician. The client’s needs are put first at this difficult time as each person will have a totally different reaction and experience.

The session could include the following:

• Supportive counseling with lots of time to ask questions
• Discussion about HIV to gain a more in-depth understanding of what HIV is and what a HIV positive diagnosis means for that client
• How the client can protect themselves in the future from other sexually transmitted infections and how they can protect their partners
• Partner identification and notification
• Identify any personal supports the client may have in their life, whether that be family, or friends that may be a source of support to the client once they leave the clinic
• Community resources/referrals that may help the client cope with their new diagnosis

Follow-up appointments can be made with the nurse and or physician at the client’s request. At the initial visit or a follow up visit the physician and/or nurse can help the client identify any sexual/injection drug using partners that may need to be contacted either by the client and/or by the nurse, to advise them to seek testing. Clients do not need to tell the nurse or physician their partner’s information. However, if the client prefers, partners can be contacted by a nurse via telephone and provided with information about HIV and where to get tested. All of the client’s information is private and confidential and the partners will not know who gave the nurse their information. Sometimes partners’ information is not known or the client wants to let their partners know themselves to seek testing. This is also ok.

The client can be referred to a physician that specifically works with HIV positive clients. This physician will speak more with the client about medications and routine tests that should be done to monitor health status. When the client enters the treatment system they may be retested for HIV which means their results will no longer be anonymous and will be on record with the Health Department. However, all health care providers are required by law to keep client’s health information confidential.

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