Why aren’t they testing for HIV?

If only the world was prefect, and everyone tested for HIV when they should.  Regrettably it is not, they don’t.

We operate HeadStartTesting, an online supplier of HIV Self-Test Kits for the Australian public. We are often challenged as to the quality of testing for HIV at home versus testing at a medical clinic that can also offer counselling. After 2 years of providing this service, our response is still the same.

Regrettably many individuals who know they have been at risk, delay or decide not to test through a medical centre. Some still continue normal sexual activity and as a result they are the category most likely to infect others. It is a safe assumption to say that most infected with HIV were infected by a partner who did not know they themselves had HIV.  Of course they most likely knew they had been at risk, but decided not to test (and thus infected others). We often receive communication from a client stating their high level of anxiety and concern over their status. Some can’t sleep they are so worried about their HIV status or the HIV status of a recent partner, yet they choose not to consult their doctor.

Why?

As logically anyone who thinks they have contracted a life threatening disease would seek medical assistance, there must be some other factor driving these individuals to not test for HIV.
Our conclusion is that HIV is still seen as a socially embarrassing topic and when the possible contamination method is sexual contact it is more embarrassing or sensitive still. This is a concern as early detection of HIV can greatly increase survival rates. If HIV testing seems so logical and beneficial, why are many not doing it?
Many feel too embarrassed to explain their behaviours to another? Denial, what are the chances, it can’t happen to me? I’ll do it next week. I can’t explain this to my partner so I’ll just hope it’s nothing.  I feel fine, I don’t have any HIV symptoms. I think I have HIV Symptoms but can’t face my doctor.

HIV home test kits, target those individuals who decided not to test, and offer them an alternate to the testing methods they chose not to use.

But…If one of those individuals (the one who decided not to test with his doctor) does test and is HIV positive we have the following scenario. They face the immediate result without counselling at their side. This is clearly difficult for some individuals. However, it is hard to argue it is a worse scenario than if they had just carried on normal activities and infected others.  After all we are talking about an HIV positive person who was putting off testing and had so far decided it did not warrant consulting a medical professional. The objective is simple, get their status known and stop their risk of contaminating others through any reasonable means possible.

Now we have identified the need for HIV testing at home. Can it be done accurately? Are the HIV self-test kits accurate? Yes, they detect both the HIV 1 and 2 sub-virus, have a +99% accuracy and are manufactured under ISO, GMP standards. They are simple to use and give results in 5 minutes. If used incorrectly they will show a failed test result and not a false negative or positive.

If in doubt about your HIV status or you are concerned you have HIV symptoms then please test. Testing as soon as possible for HIV will remove any doubts/anxiety and more importantly ensure your health and the health of others is best protected. Head Start Testing can supply you with HIV Home Test Kits if self-testing is your preference.

Do I have HIV? Are these HIV symptoms?

Many individuals grow concerned that the health symptoms they are showing maybe those of the HIV virus.  This can be a cause of anxiety and stress for the individual which may then go on to worsen their perceptions of the symptoms they are showing. 

Before we discuss what may be possible HIV symptoms let us first look at the HIV virus.  The HIV virus is typically transmitted through an exchange of bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal fluids or blood.  Hypothetically the transmission may occur during oral sex as this can involve the exchange of HIV carrying fluids.

Needle sharing and unprotected sexual intercourse are common methods of transmission.  Once the HIV virus enters the bloodstream of an individual the immune system of that individual will began to produce antibodies in an effort to destroy the virus.  It is these antibodies that HIV tests detect showing that the individual does in fact have the HIV virus.  Of the period of time after infection to the presence of HIV antibodies is commonly referred to as the HIV window period. 

During this time HIV is undetectable and the body is manufacturing antibodies.  This process may cause a viral responds with in the body and can show some symptoms similar to a flu or other viral infection.  It is important to note that no set of symptoms is unique to HIV infection and as such no physical symptoms can serve as a diagnosis.  Of many individuals will show no symptoms at all as they passed through this period can produce HIV antibodies.  So when asking the question “do I have HIV?” , the only way to be certain of the answer is to take an HIV test.  In Australia and individual has various options for HIV testing including the purchase of online self test kits.