How to Test for AIDS HIV Anonymously

Many municipalities offer clinics where patients can get tested anonymously to see whether they are infected with the HIV virus that is thought to cause AIDS. Patients can also use home-testing kits to screen themselves for HIV infection with improving accuracy. However, experts generally agree that doctor and lab-assisted testing methods are far more likely to produce accurate results.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Home HIV testing kit (if self-testing is the chosen method)
• Physician or sexual-health professional

Get an Anonymous HIV Test

1. Purchase a self-testing kit at a pharmacy or online. However, be aware that being tested anonymously in a clinical setting offers you a much better chance of getting an accurate result. If you choose to self-administer a test, make sure to follow all directions carefully and follow up with a clinical test performed with the assistance of a doctor and laboratory.

2. Take advantage of community HIV and AIDS resources to locate a testing center that permits anonymous testing. Sexual-health clinics, hospitals and physicians' offices are excellent sources of information.

3. Call the clinic offering anonymous testing to make your appointment. At this time, you may be issued a special number that will be used to identify you in lieu of your name, protecting your identity.

4. Report to the clinic as scheduled for your test. Ask the doctor to explain the testing method that will be used, and raise any questions you might have about the process.

5. Get your results in person. Most HIV testing centers will not release the results of HIV tests over the telephone, even when the test is performed anonymously.

6. Get information online. Visit AIDSHotline.org to get information on HIV and AIDS, as well as further details on local options for anonymous testing (see Resources below). The national number is [phone], and state numbers are listed on the website.

Tips & Warnings

• Not all U.S. states offer patients the option to test anonymously in doctor's offices and clinics.
• Be careful when ordering self-test kits online. Stick with well-known brands like OraQuick and Orasure, or go with the FDA-approved Home Access Express HIV-1 Test. However, keep in mind that these tests may involve you sending the sample to a laboratory to be tested, offering no guarantees of complete and total anonymity.

Resources

• National and state AIDS and HIV help lines at AIDSHotline.org.

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