Counseling & Testing

Knowing your HIV status is the first step in seeking medical intervention and gaining access to effective strategies to prevent the spread of HIV. AIDS Project Worcester tries to make the process of Counseling and Testing a simple and easy process to navigate. There are certain questions that you might ask yourself before you get tested. Anonymous testing is currently offered at APW Monday through Friday 8:00am to 4:45pm.

Testing is on a walk-in basis and is open and free of charge.

Three types of tests are currently available;

Blood Testing [a traditional blood draw]
Oral Mucosal Testing [a swab placed in your mouth]
Ora Quick (Rapid Test) Testing [a finger prick with a preliminary result in 20 minutes]

Results for the blood and oral mucosal tests are usually back in 7 days.

APW is now providing counseling and testing services at the PIP Shelter on Thursday from 4pm to 6pm. Off site testing is also free of charge.

Why should I be tested?

Knowing your HlV status has two vital benefits. First, if you know you are HlV positive, you can discuss treatment options with your physician even before symptoms appear. Second, if you know you are infected, you can take all the precautions to prevent re-infecting yourself and possibly infecting others with the disease.

It takes approximately 4-6 weeks for you body to develop antibodies for HIV after infection (all HIV tests are detecting the antibodies for HIV). If you think you may be at risk for HIV, consider an HIV test. The only way to be sure is to get tested.

Can I keep my test results private?

APW offers anonymous HIV testing.

Anonymous HIV Testing means that no name is given to the testing center. Instead, the person receiving the test is given a unique identifier code (a number). Using this number means that no one can link you to the HIV test. The person tested is the only one who is made aware of the test results.

When and how often should I be tested for HIV?

Because the tests commonly used to detect HIV infection actually look for antibodies produced by your body to fight HlV, you should wait a reasonable period of time before being tested. Most people produce detectable antibodies within 4-6 weeks after infection (the average is 25 days). This is commonly referred to as the sero-conversion period.

How long does it take to get the results?

Results from the most commonly used HlV antibody screening test results are usually available in 7 days. In the case of the Rapid test, you can have a preliminary result in 20 minutes.

How accurate are HIV test results?

The tests are more than 99% accurate. The most commonly used tests are the ELISA and the Western Blot. If the ELISA shows the blood sample is positive for HlV, then the Western Blot is done to confirm the initial results.

If I think I've been infected after sex, what should I do?

There are post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medications that can be administered within a 72 hour period after you think you have become infected. PEP is most effective if administered within the first 24 hours. This can be arranged through your physician or a hospital emergency room.

Where can I get condoms and other risk reduction items?

Condoms and other risk reduction items are available Monday through Friday, during normal business hours. Condoms and other risk reduction material can be obtained freely in the lobby of AIDS Project Worcester.

For information on other anonymous test sites contact: Massachusetts Department of Public Health - (508) 727-6971