HIV ANTIBODY TESTING
HIV the virus that causes AIDS discriminates nobody. Anyone can acquire the virus if he or she is negligent or unaware about the virus.
If you have unprotected sex or shared needles to inject drugs, you have put yourself at risk of HIV infection. Don't underestimate the possibilities.
You may feel well and look great, but don't be too confident. HIV infection may not show any signs or symptoms until the whole of your immune system becomes weak and damaged.
Because you feel healthy and look healthy, you may think that you are not infected. You could be right. But you may be wrong too, and the virus may have been lurking in your body, reproducing and destroying your immune system...little by little. You may not feel it, until a large regiment of your immune system is damaged. And while you are unaware of the virus' presence in your body, you may have passed it to someone else.
Early detection allows for immediate treatment, if you are diagnosed positive. Knowing that you have been infected could also save other people from infection. On the other hand, wouldn't it be a relief to hear that you're free from the virus?
HIV AND AIDS - what's the difference?
HIV is short for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, a virus that attacks and weakens the body's disease-fighting system. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. When a person is confirmed to have been infected by HIV, the person is termed as HIV-positive. This does not necessarily mean that the person has AIDS.
AIDS is short for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is the name given to the group of illnesses that occur in HIV-positive people as a result of a weakened immune system. The most common of these illnesses are opportunistic infections like pneumonia, tuberculosis, thrush, certain types of cancers and a number of skin disorders. The illnesses may occur many years after a person is infected with HIV.
How do I know if I am infected?
One may look well and feel healthy even if he or she is infected with HIV. The only way to know for certain if you are infected is by taking an HIV Antibody Test.
What is an HIV Antibody Test?
An HIV Antibody Test is a blood test that detects HIV antibodies in your blood. Antibodies are proteins formed by the immune system when germs and viruses enter into the body. The presence of HIV antibodies in the blood shows that the person has been infected. However in the case of HIV, the antibodies produced are only able to fight off the virus in the early stage of infection. As the virus reproduce in the body, the antibodies become weaker and unable to fight the virus.
Who should go for an HIV Antibody Test?
Anybody who has exposed him or herself to high-risk behaviors should go for the Test. This includes people who have had unprotected sex, shared needles for injecting drugs or had blood/organ transfusion.
You may also want to take the Test:
All tests should be done at least three months after possible exposure to infection. During this three-month waiting period, avoid unsafe sex and do not share needles.
How long after infection do the symptoms show?
Some people may show flu-like symptoms two to six weeks after the infection. These are self-limiting - the patient will recover and remain fine for a few years. These symptoms also occur in other viral infection. Since these symptoms may go after a few days, many people dismiss them as normal illnesses.
There is also a condition called asymptomatic - the infected person does not show any symptom, and this can remain for many years without the person being aware. This condition can be very dangerous because the HIV-positive person may unknowingly pass the virus to others.
Procedures of taking the Test
The HIV Antibody Testing is carried out in these five simple steps:
Inform the doctor why do you think you need to take the test. (The doctor may then suggest that you should take the Test or otherwise). If you choose to take the Test, the doctor will inform you on the test procedures and further steps to be taken after knowing the result.
This test is called ELISA. It is painless and conducted the same way as any other blood tests.
The first test with a negative result shows that HIV antibodies are not detected in the blood. However this does not necessarily mean that the person is not infected. This is because of a leeway period (called the window period) where the antibodies cannot be detected even though one is infected with the virus.
The person will be asked to undergo the same test after three months. If the second test is also negative, the person will need to take another test after three months for confirmation. During the six-month interim period between the first, second and third test, avoid high-risk behaviors such as unsafe sex or sharing needles.
The confirmation test is called Western Blot, and it is more specific than ELISA. A confirmed positive result means that HIV antibodies are detected in the blood, and the individual can infect others. However, it does not mean that the person will fall sick in a short time. An HIV-positive person should seek counseling and strict medical treatment to maintain health and prolong life.
Talk to the doctor on the best way to maintain your health.
For further information on HIV treatment, contact the Treatment Officer of the Malaysian AIDS Council at (03) 443 9711 or (03) 445 1033 ext 202.
An HIV-positive individual can lead a healthy and normal lifestyle.
What should I do if I am HIV-negative?
Will the results be announced or informed to anyone?
Certainly not. Although all positive results are reported to the Ministry of Health, identities of the patients are kept confidential. Normally, registration numbers are used to label blood samples, while particulars of the clinic visit are not stated in the patient card.
Where can I go for HIV Antibody Testing?
You can take the HIV Antibody Test at Government clinics or hospitals (outpatient departments / specialist clinics / STD clinics). Choose a place that offers you counseling before and after the result is obtained.
How much is the fee?
Government hospitals and clinics provide HIV Antibody testing services free of charge while private hospitals and clinics may charge between RM15 to RM35 per test.
How soon can I get the result?
Normally, results can be obtained after three to five days.
Procrastinating in getting tested
If negative :
If Positive :
Risky behavior - HIV Antibody Testing
If negative :
If positive :
It is up to you whether or not you should go for the Test. Knowing the result - be it positive or negative, may be less stressful than the anxiety of thinking you might be infected but not knowing it. Whatever the case, ensure that you get counseling to help you make a decision you are comfortable with.
Where can I get more information?
Malaysian AIDS Council (Treatment Information Project)
(03) 4043 9711 or 4045 1033 ext. 202
Mon - Fri 9.00 am - 5.30 am
Malaysian AIDS Council Interactive Infoline
(03) 707 7007 24 hours
Malaysian AIDS Council (Hopis Cahaya)
(03) 4045 0133
Mon - Fri 9.00 am - 4.00 pm
Positive Living
(03) 4044 4611
Mon - Sat 9.00 am - 5.30 am
Hospital Kuala Lumpur
(03) 2692 1044 ext 5228/5238
Mon - Fri 9.00 am - 4.00 pm
Hospital Universiti
(03) 7956 4422
Mon - Fri 9.00 am - 4.00 pm
Tenaganita
(03) 2691 3681/91
Tue - Sat 10.00 am -6.00 pm
Community AIDS Service, Penang
(04) 229 9566
Mon - Fri 10.00 am - 5.00 pm
Malaysian AIDS Council