The CDC National AIDS Hotline can offer practical information on maintaining health and general information about a wide variety of treatments, including antiretrovirals and prophylaxis for opportunistic infections. The hotline numbers are 1-800-342-2437 (English), 1-800-344-7432, (Spanish), or 1-888)-480-3739 (TTY). The CDC National AIDS Hotline can also provide referrals to national…

No. Your HIV test result reveals only your HIV status. Your negative test result does not tell you about the HIV status of your partner(s). HIV is not necessarily transmitted every time there is an exposure. No one’s test result can be used to determine another person’s HIV status.

Testing positive for HIV means that you now carry the virus that causes AIDS. It does not mean that you have AIDS, nor does it mean that you will die. Although there is no cure for AIDS, many opportunistic infections that make people sick can be controlled, prevented or eliminated.…

A positive result means: You are HIV-positive (carrying the virus that causes AIDS). You can infect others and should try to implement precautions to prevent doing so. A negative result means: No antibodies were found in your blood at this time. A negative result does NOT mean: You are not…

The combination of an Eliza/Western Blot HIV Antibody Test is the accepted testing method for HIV infection. This combination test is looking for the antibodies that develop to fight the HIV virus. There are two ways to conduct this test. Either through a blood draw or through the “Orasure” method…

It is recommended that one have an anonymous test. The results will only be known to you and will not appear on any records. Some reasons that one would need a confidential test would be: a result is required for immigration purposes or for some international travel visas; a pregnant…

Anonymous and Confidential use the same testing method. The only difference is one does not have your name attached to the results. Anonymous antibody testing is available at Anonymous Test Sites in most California counties. Anonymous testing means that absolutely no one has access to your test results since your…

The tests commonly used to determine HIV infection actually look for antibodies produced by the body to fight HIV. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most people will develop detectable antibodies within 3 months after infection. In rare cases, it can take up to six months.…

The time it takes for a person who has been infected with HIV to seroconvert (test positive) for HIV antibodies is commonly called the “Window Period.” The California Office of AIDS, published in 1998, says about the window period: “When a person is infected with the HIV virus, statistics show…