How do you know youre HIV positive without a test?

without a test, how would you find out you have HIV and how long would it be till you found out?

how long does HIV take to develop into AIDs?

i dont have it, i dont need to take a test.

You wouldn't. Symptoms can remain dormant for anything up to about 10-12 years. If you are at all in any doubt you should go for a test before you sleep with anyone else. It is now a crime to intentionally give someone HIV, and it would be hard to prove whether or not you had suspicions, so not only would you be endangering someone elses life, but you could also face a lengthy prison sentence.

YOU DON'T!

you have to have a test to fine out ,,sign to look for ,,weight lost,open sores,weakness,go see your doc,,good luck

you wont know, that's why there's test to find out you have it......logic answered you question!!

no body can detect HIV POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE without lab testthere are two ways

1-elyza
2-westernspot


the first for screening group of people if one lplerson is positve by elyaza then the other test is done to nfirm

I'm sure that its scary but you've got to get tested before you can know. Simple blood test but you've got to get it done to know.

you can't. If you suspect that you may have it then you should get a test done straight away so that you don't pass it on to anyone. Also although there isnt a cure im sure they do things to try and control it so surely its best to find out asap!

It is virtually impossible to diagnose HIV without a test. The symptoms of HIV are the same as symptoms for a common flu. The only way to find out if you are HIV positive is to take a test.

There are couple of different ways to be tested. There is the standard blood test that takes 7-14 days to get your results. There is a rapid test which is a blood test that you receive your results in 20 minutes. There is an Orasure test where they swap the inside of your mouth and send the sample to a lab for processing, this also takes 7-14 days to get your results. There are home kits where you test yourself then send in the sample and call for your results. You can get tested by your primary doctor or go to a clinic.

Most clinics offer free or very low cost testing. If you go through your doctor you want to make sure that your insurance will cover the test.

If you get tested at a clinic you have two options to get tested anonymously or confidentially. Anonymous testing is just like it sounds. When you go in for testing you are assigned a number that is in no way linked to your identity. When you go in for your results you will give them your number and they will give you your results. If you choice to be tested confidentially a medical record will be created with your name but no one will be able to see your results without your permission.

You usually have to be 13 years old to consent to a test. If you are younger you will most likely have to get your parents permission.

You also want to keep the window period in mind when thinking about getting tested. It can take up to 6 months for your body to produce enough antibodies to show up on the test. You can however get tested as early as 25 days after a possible exposure but your test will be only about 80% accurate. If you test after 3 months your test will be about 97% accurate. After six months your test is about as accurate as it is going to get.


Just to further answer your initial question, if you did not get tested and were in fact positive. You may not experience any symptoms or complications for up to ten years, however it is important to get tested because as soon as you are diagnosed you can begin treatment which could possibly ward off your symptoms and complications for an indefinite amount of time.


If you have any more questions you should go to http://www.choice-phila.org/ they have a couple of great hotlines listed on the site where you can ask questions about HIV or any other STD. They also can offer you referral to site where you can get tested for free. They also have a place where you can email in your questions to be answered by a counselor.

Well there is no sure way to tell u need to just go get tested and not even consider not getting a test, if you think that you could have HIV you could start getting medicine for it now and slow the effects of the disease

when Hiv is contracted at first there maybe flu like symptoms which dissapear themselves!...after that..main signs are oppurtunistic infections (could be any!..body is defenceless..ranging from minor colds,T.b ,cancer)

I think it can take up to around 10 years, depending on how well you look after yourself (if you're an anorexic drug addict living on the streets, for example, i think the time would be alot shorter). But of course if you take the test and have regular medical check-ups, you will be able to remain in better physical health for longer.

You wouldnt know....the symptoms are very similiar to other viruses so can be easily confused...the symptoms are commonly confused with glandular fever. I dont think there would be any way of guessing at all because once one becomes paranoid at the prospect of having it, you soon find yourself linking up symptoms with those of HIV....its a psychological response when one is worried. Although it would be a scary thing to do, id say the best way is to have a test. Its on the rise but still very rare really, and lets face it, if someone who is worrying themselves sick about having it has a test and finds out they havent , it would be a huge weight off their shoulders, also if they did turn out to have it the best way of fighting it is prescribed drugs so best to be tested. Hope this helps