 Anyone can get a blood or oral test for antibodies to HIV. The body produces antibodies to destroy a foreign invader - in this case, HIV. Antibody tests are done confidentially or anonymously at any Florida health department. An individual can also be tested at a private doctor's office or other testing sites. For Florida testing sites, click here. Who Should Be Tested? Anyone who thinks they might have put themselves at risk for HIV should consider being tested. HIV antibody testing detects antibodies in the blood. The antibodies show that the virus is present in the body and that the immune system has tried to fight it. HIV Testing and Pregnancy Florida law requires all pregnant women to be offered HIV testing at their initial prenatal care visit and again at 28-32 weeks. Women who appear at delivery with no record of an HIV test during pregnancy should be counseled and offered HIV testing. If a woman declines HIV testing, the provider should have her sign a refusal form. Availability of Testing Confidential testing and anonymous testing are available to anyone who requests it. In Florida, HIV antibody testing is available only by informed consent - that is, a person must give permission before being tested. Testing is available at health departments, doctor's offices, community-based organizations, and other private and non-profit clinics. Health departments offer testing at a minimal charge, but no fee is charged for those who cannot afford it. Confidential and Anonymous Testing Test results are kept private in two different ways: confidential and anonymous. Confidential testing means that the person's name and test results are kept in their private medical file. Anonymous testing means a person is given a number when being tested, and the person can only be identified by that number. No name is recorded. For an HIV testing site near you, click here. |
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