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Get Tested
Life Foundation's HIV testing van will be at the following locations this week. Stop by for a free HIV test:
Wednesday 9/30- Downtown (on corner of Kukui St. and Nuuanu St.)- from 9a to noon
Thursday 10/01- Wahiawa 7pm to 12 midnight
Friday 10/02- Downtown (on corner of Kukui St and Nuuanu St.)- from 9pm to 2am |
If you think you have been exposed to HIV infection and would like to know your status, stop by Life Foundation’s office for a free and anonymous HIV test. Life Foundation now offers Rapid HIV Testing, and results are available in approximately 20 minutes. Life Foundation HIV prevention specialists are also available to meet at a location where you feel comfortable, such as in your home, a beach or park.
Life Foundation
677 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 226, Honolulu
Telephone: 521-2437
Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Click here for directions to our office.
If you are unsure if you should be tested,click on the "Should I Get Tested" link or call 521-AIDS and ask to speak to aHIV prevention specialist.
Check out this short video about Life Foundation's rapid HIV testing:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Rapid HIV Test?
It is a screening test that detects the presence of HIV antibodies in a person’s body by testing serum (blood or oral fluid). The body’s immune system produces these antibodies when infected with HIV, therefore, you would not have HIV antibodies if you are not infected with HIV.
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER: The Rapid HIV Test does not detect HIV antibodies any sooner than standard blood testing and will not identify a new HIV infection sooner (or more “rapidly”) than a standard test. The window period applies to all forms of HIV screening tests.
During the window period of 1-3 months, a person infected with HIV will still be developing the antibodies that are detectable in an HIV antibody screening test, like the Rapid HIV Test. This means that within the first 1-3 months of becoming infected with HIV, it may not show up in a test yet. We recommend getting tested at least 3 months after your last possible exposure to HIV so you can feel confident that your results are an accurate representation of your true HIV status.
What do my results mean?
There are three types of results you could possibly receive from a Rapid HIV test:
- A Reactive or Preliminary Positive Result: This means HIV antibodies were detected in your body. A confirmatory test will be given to eliminate the chance of a false positive result.
- A Non-reactive or Negative Result: A non-reactive or negative result means that the test did not detect any HIV antibodies. However, this does not mean you are immune to HIV. It can take up to three months from the time of possible exposure for your body to develop the antibodies to HIV.
- An Invalid Result: This means that the HIV test cannot be interpreted. An invalid test result means there was a problem running the test, either related to the test device or the specimen. In this case, another test would be given. You are no more likely to receive a reactive or non-reactive result from an invalid one.
How accurate is the Rapid HIV Test?
The Rapid HIV Test is just as reliable as standard testing done in labs.
-Chance of False Positive Results: There is a 0.4% chance (4 out of 1,000) that the Rapid HIV Test will produce a falsely positive or “reactive” result. This means that 99.6% of the time a “reactive” result will indicate a true HIV-positive result. Therefore, with all reactive results, a confirmatory test is given to determine if the person is actually HIV-positive.
-Chance of False Negative Results: There is a 0% chance of getting a falsely negative or “non-reactive” result. This means that if your test is non-reactive (negative), then no HIV antibodies are detectable in your body at the time. However, if you have had a recent exposure (within the past 3 months), the negative result might not be a true indicator of your HIV status and re-testing is recommended after the window period has passed.
Is it confidential and anonymous ?
All HIV testing sessions are confidential, meaning that the information exchanged between the client and the Life Foundation Prevention Specialist will not be shared with anyone else. Life Foundation only offers anonymous HIV testing. We do not provide official written documentation of your results.
If I think I have been exposed to HIV, how soon can I get tested?
The tests commonly used to detect HIV infection look for antibodies produced by your body to fight HIV. Most people will develop detectable antibodies within 3 months after infection, the average being 20 days. In rare cases, it can take 6-12 months. During the time between exposure and the test, it is important to avoid any behavior that might result in exposure to blood, semen, or vaginal secretions.
What if I test positive for HIV?
If you test positive for HIV, immediate medical treatment and a healthy lifestyle can help you stay well. There are now many drugs that treat HIV infection and AIDS-related illnesses. Prompt medical care may help delay the onset of AIDS and prevent some life-threatening conditions. Life Foundation will assist you in finding proper medical and emotional support.
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