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Getting tested for HIV

Test tubes HIV testing is available for FREE at community health clinics, sexual health clinics and from your family doctor. Family planning centers or drug treatment facilities also offer testing.

When testing an individual can choose between having nominal (your full and actual name) and non-nominal testing (fake name or initials). Non-nominal testing will not be attached to your medical history. Once a person has decided to test for HIV, the process should proceed as follows:

  • Step 1: Pre-test counselling takes place.
  • Step 2: A blood sample is collected and sent to a laboratory.
  • Step 3: An Elisa test is used at the lab to test for HIV antibodies.
  • Step 4: Test results are usually available within one to two weeks (ten business days).
  • Step 5: Positive test is confirmed with a Western blot test. A negative test is confirmed if done following the three month window period.
  • Step 6: Post-test counselling should take place for either a positive or negative result.

All test results are confidential and must be delivered in person. You should not get your positive or negative result over the phone or by email. A positive test result means that you have HIV antibodies and are infected with HIV. A health care provider will give you information and options on what to do next and how to access services and support.
A negative test result means that you have not been exposed to HIV and you are not infected with HIV (provided you have not participated in a risk activity since testing). You now have the opportunity to learn and continue to practice HIV prevention, protecting yourself and others from STIs.

  • AIDS Vancouver's Helpline offers a list of testing sites in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. This is also available in our Resource Centre
  • More questions about HIV testing? Read our fact sheet or our FAQ
  • or visit our resource page to access a list of brochures, journal articles and research papers on HIV testing
  • Please call our Helpline at 604.696.4666 (Monday to Friday 9am-4pm) if you would like to talk to someone confidentially and anonymously about this information. You can also post a question on our Helpline forum. Whatever your concerns may be, our Helpline coordinator and volunteers will answer your questions promptly.