HIV TestingWhat You Really Need to Know

Developed by: Joey NicholsonFall 2010

Have you had an HIV test?

Yes, I had a test over a year ago.

No, I don’t know what HIV is.

No, I’m not at risk for that.

If you said any of the above, you should view this.

These slides will cover these questions:

What is HIV?

Who gets HIV?

What is an HIV test?

How do I get tested?

When should I get tested?

What does it mean I test positive?

Where can I get tested?

What is HIV? HIV is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

It is the virus that causes AIDS.

A person who has HIV is HIV positive.

What is AIDS?

• AIDS is the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.

• This is the most serious stage of an HIV infection.

• It can take 10 years to reach this stage.

What does HIV do?

HIV attacks the immune system.

The immune system is the part of your body that fights off infections*.

HIV makes it hard for your body to fight off infections.

*To learn more about antibodies and the immune system, click here!

Learn More!

You can learn more about HIV and AIDS by watching the video below:

In English: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/aids/htm/index.htm

En Español: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/aidsspanish/htm/index.htm

Who gets HIV? In New York City in 2009*:

96% of women who found out they were HIV positive were black or Latina.

67% of women who found out they were HIV positive got it through unsafe sex with men.

Anyone who has had sex without a condom is at risk.

Anyone who has shared a needle is at risk.

*This is from the April 2010 NYC HIV Report. View the complete report at: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/dires/2010_1st_semi_rpt.pdf

Myth:

I can tell if someone has HIV by looking at them.

How much do other Latinos in Washington Heights know about HIV?

Watch this video from Latina.com to find out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

yLF0nufQ2DM

What is an HIV test?

An HIV test tells you if you have HIV.

Most tests look for antibodies to HIV in your blood or mouth fluid.

An antibody is produced by the immune system to fight the virus.

Myth:

I don’t need an HIV test. There’s no way I could be infected.

Fact:

Most new HIV infections are from people who do not know they are infected.

72% of people in Inwood and Washington Heights have not had an HIV test in the past

year*.

*This is from the 2006 NYC Inwood and Washington Heights Community Profile Report. View the complete report at:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/data/2006chp-301.pdf

Myth:

I only have sex with one person. I don’t need to be tested.

Fact: Sex is a risk.

62% of adults in Inwood and Washington Heights did not use a condom the last time

they had sex*.

*This is from the 2006 NYC Inwood and Washington Heights Community Profile Report. View the complete report at:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/data/2006chp-301.pdf

Who should get tested?

Many people have HIV but do not know. You might not feel sick, but you can still give HIV to other people.

• Even Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza gets tested!

Anyone who has sex without a condom should get tested.

Anyone who shares needles should get tested.

I don’t want to get tested.

Yes, an HIV test can be stressful.

But, finding out you do not have HIV is a relief.

You can break the cycle!

Yes, an HIV test can be scary.

But, finding out when it is too late is worse.

Everyone is doing it!

Click here to watch a video of a couple getting tested at Columbia.

Where can I talk to someone?

It is hard for Latinas to talk about HIV.

Alianza Dominicana on Amsterdam Avenue and 176th Street can help.

You don’t have to be Dominican to go there.

They help many people from Mexico and Central and South America.

Click here to find out what they can do.

How does the HIV test work?

Most HIV tests look for antibodies in your blood.

Blood tests give you results in two weeks.

Rapid tests look for antibodies in your mouth fluid.

Rapid tests give you results in about 20 minutes.

When should I get tested?

You can be tested more than once.

Most HIV infections show up in 25 days.

It can take up to six months to show up in a test.

You can take an HIV test right away.

You should take one again in six months.

What does it mean if I test positive?

A positive test result means that you have HIV antibodies.

Having HIV antibodies means you have HIV.

This does NOT mean you have AIDS.

NYC can help! Click on the image to

see what they can do!

What will I do if I test positive?

You can live a healthy and long life.

You can get good medical care.

There are places in Washington Heights and Inwood to get help.

The person who gives you the HIV test can hook you up.

Are the test results private?

A positive test result is given to the city Department of Health.

Your name is NOT shared with anyone else.

Your name is NOT shared with Immigration (INS).

You CAN get tested in New York without giving your name.

Where can I get tested?

HIV tests are done at many places.

A doctor’s office.

Central Harlem Free Clinic.

At Fifth Avenue and 137th Street Click here to see more free clinic locations.

Washington Heights Corner Project.

76 Wadsworth Avenue Click here to get more information.

Where can I get tested?

Community Healthcare Network Center

1996 Amsterdam Avenue

Click here for more information.

Washington Heights Chest Center

600 W 168th St, 3rd Floor

Click here for more information.

Or find a place near you:

Click here for to find more places to get tested.

Bottom Line

Get tested.

Know your HIV status.

For More Information:

Read the basics of HIV, AIDS, and HIV testing at: http://www.thebody.com/

Get an introduction in English or Spanish at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/aids.html

Find out more about HIV tests at: http://hivtest.org/

Find out about HIV in NYC at: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/dires/epi_reports.shtml#fsu