A positive HIV test result means you have HIV. However, there may also be cases of false positives due to specific reasons, so it is important to take a second test to verify accuracy. In the case of a true positive, appropriate measures should be taken to treat and control the disease and limit its spread to others. This article by Docosan will answer this question.
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What does a positive HIV test mean?
HIV testing is the only way to determine if a person has been exposed to HIV. Especially high-risk individuals should be more proactive in getting tested and should be tested every three months.
Typically, HIV test results will be negative or positive, but sometimes they may be invalid due to improper procedure or damaged testing equipment. A negative HIV result means that the person tested is not infected. However, if the result is positive for HIV, it means that the person has tested positive for the virus. Nonetheless, there is still a possibility of false negatives or false positives.
What should I do when I receive a positive HIV result?
After receiving a positive HIV test result, most people experience confusion, anxiety, and a loss of composure. However, it is not possible to change this reality. At this point, it is important to let go of negative thoughts and take action.
Second HIV test to be sure of the results
As previously mentioned and as shown in many cases, there are instances of false positive HIV test results. This can be caused by various factors. To confirm whether or not you have HIV, it is recommended to take a second test to obtain a final result.
You can purchase Docosan’s home HIV/Syphilis test kit for a second test. This test kit is licensed for circulation by the Ministry of Health, has high specificity, and is stored under standard conditions. When you test at home, you can also have peace of mind knowing that you will not be judged by others if the result is positive for HIV. Moreover, Docosan provides support for you to connect with a specialist, whether the result is negative or positive. Your doctor will provide guidance on how to manage the disease.
See a medical professional or doctor
If the second test result is still positive for HIV, it is important to remain calm and seek medical advice from a health professional or doctor who specializes in HIV. It is important to do this as soon as possible for the sake of your own health.
Your doctor will order tests to assess the functioning of your immune system, determine the stage of HIV, and evaluate your overall health. After an assessment, your doctor can help you create the best treatment plan, and determine when to start treatment. Additionally, the doctor will provide guidance on how to prevent infecting others.
Get information about HIV disease and HIV positive results
Knowledge is priceless, and having information about HIV can be incredibly helpful for your health. To be fully informed about this disease, it’s important to actively seek out information from books, magazines, or the internet.
However, it’s important to note that you should only read information about HIV from reliable sources such as government educational institutions or non-profit agencies that specialize in HIV and AIDS.
Seeking support services for HIV-positive individuals
Currently, there are many agencies and non-governmental organizations that support people living with HIV. They can help you improve both mentally and physically to cope with this disease. Or you can seek medical advice or it can be:
- Psychologist, mental health specialist, clinical social worker, etc.
- Online chat room for sensitive stories to be shared.
- Hotline for “HIV Education Support and Referral Service” or your local “Social Service Organization”.
Protect those around you from getting HIV
Being HIV positive means that the virus can be transmitted to others, even in the early stages when there are no obvious symptoms. To prevent this from happening, it is important to pay attention to the following:
- Use condoms during sex, and make sure to choose genuine products and check the quality of the packaging before use.
- Do not share needles, personal items that can cause bleeding, or other objects that may transmit the virus.
- If you are HIV positive, do not donate blood, even in emergency situations.
- Encourage your partner to use HIV prevention medication if they are HIV negative.
- If you are planning to become pregnant, talk to your doctor, as HIV can be transmitted to your baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
- Since HIV-positive individuals are at a higher risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), it is important to get regular check-ups.”
Is HIV rapid test false positive?
A false-positive HIV test is one that gives a positive result, even though the person being tested does not actually have the disease. This inaccurate result can cause confusion, anxiety, and even strong psychological impact for the testers. However, false-positive results are likely due to one or more of the following causes:
- A mistake in the testing process.
- The person doing the test is suffering from certain diseases, such as cirrhosis, liver failure, tuberculosis, or is using drugs that affect the ability to recognize antibodies when doing the test.
- Incorrect procedure.
- Defective HIV test product.
In the case of false negatives, the timing of blood sampling plays a crucial role. When it comes to HIV testing, if the test is done during the window period, the likelihood of a false negative result is quite high, even if the body is already infected with the virus.
For the most accurate results, it’s recommended to choose a quick test product or visit a reputable medical clinic to redo the test when in doubt. At this point, whether the result is positive or negative, a medical professional will guide you on how to manage the disease and prevent its spread to others.
The article is consulted from doctors and reliable domestic and foreign sources.
