With HIV, there is an extremely small window of opportunity where an HIV test will come back negative, even though you are in fact infected with the virus. Even if your HIV test has come back negative, you are still extremely infectious and may pass the virus on to others. Your physician that performs your HIV tests for will know this, so they will ensure absolute accuracy of your HIV testing and diagnosis, even if your initial test comes back negative. The HIV tests that can be performed are based on a high level of specificity and sensitivity. For this reason, it will increase the accuracy of your HIV test, to help with early detection. In some cases, if you have been exposed to the HIV virus within the last 72 hours, there is a very good chance that you will be able to benefit from an HIV treatment that is known as HIV PEP (post exposure prophylaxis/prevention). This type of HIV treatment offers a very high success rate in the prevention of HIV infection.
Regardless of where you have your HIV test performed, you can have your HIV test done in confidence, because your physician is ethically, legally and morally bound to keep all of your personal information private under any circumstance. So, if you choose to have an HIV test, your privacy and confidentiality will be maintained, and no one will know that you have the test done, except for your physician yourself. In addition, if you do test positive for HIV, you will also be provided with the option of counseling, which many people can benefit from. It is not a requirement, but it will be provided for you if you would like it. Because of the incredible advances of modern technology, most of your HIV test results will be available to you within 20 minutes, instead of having to wait days or even weeks. This can ensure early diagnosis and treatment, and possible prevention. Therefore, if for any reason you suspect that you have been exposed to HIV, get yourself tested, as it is for your safety as well as the safety of your community.