The HIV- Human Immunodeficiency virus can be transmitted when an HIV infected person comes in contact with another either by sexual activity or infected blood, semen or vaginal fluids.
Within a few weeks of HIV infection, the infected person will start experiencing flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat and fatigue. There can be no symptoms at all for years and people usually mistaken the general symptoms with normal fever or flu. HIV is usually asymptomatic until it progresses to AIDS- Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS symptoms include sudden weight loss, high to low grade fever or night sweats, fatigue and frequent infections.
Medical history says there is no cure for AIDS, yet there are high chances of leading a healthy life if you get tested yourself during the phase when you experience early symptoms of HIV. Taking antiretroviral regimens (ARVs) can slow the progression of the HIV infection preventing secondary infections and complications.
What are the Major Causes of HIV Infection?
You could have an HIV infection if you:
- Have had sex with multiple partners
- Had unprotected sex with an HIV infected person
- Have used needle, syringe infected with HIV virus
- Have undergone tests for TB, hepatitis, or any sexually transmitted disease
How do I know if I have HIV?
The only way to know you are HIV infected is to get tested. It is to be noted that HIV may not show any symptoms for years. Thus, testing is a good idea if you’ve had unprotected sex in the past or you have used any infected syringe or needle for shooting drugs or even piercings, or making tattoos on the body.
So, when to test for HIV? If the tests confirm HIV infection, it’s best to take proper medications & treatment to stay healthy and to lead a quality life ahead. Please read below about how to check HIV tests easily with full privacy.
How to Check for HIV Test?
HIV tests are usually painless and require just your blood sample or saliva or urine sample in some cases. There are various tests to diagnose HIV. If you are wondering how to test for HIV, then here are some easy methods to follow:
- Rapid HIV tests– Using HIV testing kit, you can test yourself at the comfort of your home & get results in about 20 minutes.
- Blood Sample test– You mail your blood sample to a lab, and get your results in about a week.
- Saliva sample or urine sample– The saliva fluid or urine may have the presence of HIV virus which is tested at the lab.
Please note that if a rapid HIV test at a clinic or a home, you have to go for a follow-up test to make sure the results are accurate.
Where to Go for HIV testing?
You can get tested for HIV and other STDs at a clinic, diagnose lab, a community health clinic, the health department, or at home.
You will get a tag of “anonymous” and you will undergo for “confidential” HIV test, depending on the laws in your country. “Confidential” testing ensures your full privacy. If you test positive, your results are sent to your local health department to further check the rates of HIV in your area. It is to be noted that your HIV results are protected by privacy laws of the country and nobody else can see them without your permission.
Looking to book the best HIV test available at your location? Get tested for your HIV routine tests from the most reliable online reservation platform- Yes4Me!
Yes4Me is an online reservation system that aims to provide the most convenient means to do reservations for HIV testing services while handling your data to ensure anonymity and privacy.Book a reservation to get tested at www.yes4me.net
Need to know more about health visit our health category blog
