HIV Testing: Questions for the doctor

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. If you have HIV, early treatment can help you live a longer, healthier life.

The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested.

What do I ask the doctor?

Visiting the doctor can be stressful. It helps to have questions written down before your appointment. Take this list of questions with you the next time you visit the doctor or health clinic.

• Should I get tested for HIV?
• What puts me at risk for HIV?
• How will you test me for HIV?
• Does this clinic offer anonymous testing? (Anonymous testing means you don’t have to give your name.)
• If I choose confidential testing, who will see my test results?
• How long will it take to get my test results?
• How will I find out my results?
• If I am HIV-positive, what will happen next?
• If I am HIV-negative, when do I need to get tested again?
• If I am HIV-negative, does my sex partner still need to get tested for HIV?
• Do you offer counseling on HIV prevention and AIDS? If you don’t, can you recommend a place that does?
• Should I get tested for any other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?