How does the HIV antibody test work?
An antibody test is commonly used to diagnose HIV in people. Antibodies are the body’s response to an infection. Therefore, if a person has antibodies for HIV, it means they have been infected and carry the disease. 5. If I test negative, does that mean my partner is negative also? No, your HIV test result reveals your HIV status only. Your negative result does not mean that your partner is negative. You should encourage him/her to get tested as well. 6. What do I do if I test positive? All positive results must be confirmed by another test (Western Blot). Confirmation can take up to two weeks. In the mean time, most testing centers or medical practices have trained professionals who can help link you with resources in the community (support groups, counseling, medical care, etc.) that will be able to help you with the next steps. 7. What is the difference between anonymous and confidential testing? • For anonymous testing, no name or identifying information is used during the testing
