This area of our site focuses on the health education components of our new programs designed to educate the many community members that we serve.

Health Education Phone:(330) 714-5535 Directions Info: This area of our site focuses on the health education components of our new programs designed to educate the many community members that we serve. Newsroom/Learn More

HIV Testing- Know Where You Stand

It is a simple process that shows if you've been infected with the HIV virus. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). HIV spreads through contact with infected body fluids mainly through:

• Having sex with a person infected with HIV
• Sharing a needle of syringe with a person infected with HIV
• Mother-to-child transmission

At CHC an oral swab test (OraQuick Advance Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test) is used, although some agencies use blood testing. The sample is tested for HIV antibodies. It may take the body up to 6 months to make enough antibodies for the test to detect. If HIV antibodies are found, the sample is retested. HIV tests are very reliable (99.6% effective), the chances for inaccurate results are small. In addition to pre/post test counseling, results are given in twenty (20) minutes. A negative result means that no HIV antibodies were found at this time. You could, however (due to the window period), still be infected if you have been exposed to HIV in the past 3-6 months. Your body may not have made enough HIV antibodies to have shown up yet. You should consider getting retested in a few months. A positive result means your body is making HIV antibodies - you have HIV. This doesn't mean you have AIDS or will get sick soon. An indeterminate result means that the results were unclear and you will need to be tested again.

What are the benefits of being tested?

Testing is the only way for you to "Know Your Status!" Testing may provide you with a reduction of stress and anxiety along with increasing the ability to protect yourself. If you are infected, the test may be your first step to increasing your knowledge in order to develop a proper treatment regimen.

For more information contact us at (330) 714-5535 or send an email.