In Canada there are three categories of HIV tests: anonymous testing, nominal
testing, and non-nominal testing. Testing availability varies from one province
to the next.
Anonymous testing
If you have an anonymous test, it means that you're the only person who will
know that you took the test and what your test results were. When you make an
appointment for an anonymous test, you will be asked to give a false name so
that the nurse can call you in the waiting room. Anonymous testing clinics are
usually located inside another clinic where people go for all kinds of reasons
other than HIV testing. You will be given a number that can't be linked to your
identity in any way, and it will be used during your second visit to obtain
your test results. Any local AIDS service organization can tell you where you
can get tested anonymously.
Nominal testing
Nominal tests are not anonymous because your name will appear on the test forms
and the test results. Also, the test results will be made available to your
doctor or health care provider and will be recorded in your medical record.
Non-nominal testing
These tests are similar to nominal tests except that a code is used instead
of your name. Only you and the doctor will know that your code refers to you.
How can I check if a test is anonymous?
If you want to know what type of test you're taking, ask the following questions
before giving consent:
- Will the test request form have my name on it?
- Will the test results have my name on it?
- Will the test results be recorded in my medical record?
- Will my test results be reported to the public health authorities?
For more information, see Chapter 3 of HIV/AIDS EPI Updates, entitled HIV
Testing and Infection Reporting in Canada.
You are entitled to counselling before and after HIV testing. Regardless of
the type of test you take, if the result is positive, the test result will be
sent to a lab to confirm if you are HIV-positive or if the result is a false
positive.
Contact a local AIDS service organization, a local community service centre
(CLSC), a community health centre or a health clinic to learn about available
counselling services in your area.
Kinds of tests
There are many different kinds of HIV tests. Blood, urine and oral fluid can
all be tested. Oral fluid is found in the mouth along the cheeks and the gums
and includes oral mucus, not just saliva.
Blood sample testing (conventional test)
A small sample of blood is taken from your arm and sent to a lab. If no antibodies
are detected, you're not infected with HIV. However, this doesn't mean that
you're immune to HIV infection.
If HIV antibodies are detected, a second test is done to
confirm the positive result. A positive test means that you have an HIV infection.
It does not mean that you have AIDS.
If your test result is positive, you may be advised to inform your sexual or
needle-sharing partners, if applicable. If your test is positive, it's important
that you find out how to get treatment and counselling services. You can get
this information from a health care professional after you get your results,
or you can contact an AIDS service organization for help. For more information
about the need for HIV testing, see the FAQ, "Should I get tested for HIV?"
Oral fluid or urine sample testing
HIV testing using an oral fluid or urine sample is only a preliminary test.
Any positive result must be confirmed by a blood sample test. Oral fluid or
urine sample testing is authorized in Canada and it has a satisfactory accuracy
rate, but a blood test is still the test of choice.
Rapid tests
With rapid tests, you can get your results on-site in only a few minutes. There are two kinds of rapid tests available in Canada. One can be given by health care professionals using a blood sample at specific clinics or doctors' offices. The second rapid test is only available in labs.
Self-sampling test
This test allows you to buy a kit from any pharmacy and take your own blood
sample at home. You mail this sample to a lab and get your results over the
phone after a few days. This test has not yet been authorized in Canada.
Auto-analysis test
This test uses a urine sample or an oral fluid sample rather than a blood sample.
You can take the sample yourself without using a needle or making any small
incisions. Results are given in a few minutes, much like home pregnancy tests
for sale in pharmacies. The kit contains instructions for how to interpret the
results. We could call this test the "real" home-test. This
test has not yet been authorized in Canada.
Additional resources
Frequently Asked Questions in HIV/AIDS Monitoring and Epidemiological Research
in Canada – Public Health Agency of Canada
HIV Testing – Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network
HIV Testing and Confidentiality: Final Report – Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal
Network
HIV/AIDS – Epi Updates – Public Health Agency of Canada
Reference
National HIV and Retrovirology Laboratories – Public Health Agency of Canada
For more information, contact your local AIDS service organization or any health care professional.
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