Module 8: Preparation for Test Results
Completion requirements
Module 8: Preparation for Test Results
Module 8: Preparation for Test Results , Screen 7 of 10
Why Test Now?
Laurie: Then what’s the point of me testing today?
Ingrid: It does tell you something important. If the test comes back negative today, that means that up until six months ago, you didn’t get HIV. And since your boyfriend tested negative last week, that means that up until six months ago, he didn’t have HIV either.
Laurie: Yeah, so?
Ingrid: It’s possible that you or he could have HIV but still test negative for a few more months. That means you could pass HIV on to one another, even after testing negative, unless you protect yourselves.
There could be a silver lining to the window period. Maybe when you and your boyfriend are talking about some of the ideas you mentioned for lowering the chance of HIV transmission, you could decide to try them out for the six months of the window period. Then, at the end of six months, it might help you decide what to do next.
Laurie: Yeah, but I can’t see him going for that.
Ask yourself: What’s the earliest antibodies might show up on a test? What’s the longest? If you’re not sure, reread the last few screens.
Why Test Now?
Laurie: Then what’s the point of me testing today?
Ingrid: It does tell you something important. If the test comes back negative today, that means that up until six months ago, you didn’t get HIV. And since your boyfriend tested negative last week, that means that up until six months ago, he didn’t have HIV either.
Laurie: Yeah, so?Ingrid: It’s possible that you or he could have HIV but still test negative for a few more months. That means you could pass HIV on to one another, even after testing negative, unless you protect yourselves.
There could be a silver lining to the window period. Maybe when you and your boyfriend are talking about some of the ideas you mentioned for lowering the chance of HIV transmission, you could decide to try them out for the six months of the window period. Then, at the end of six months, it might help you decide what to do next.
Laurie: Yeah, but I can’t see him going for that.
Ask yourself: What’s the earliest antibodies might show up on a test? What’s the longest? If you’re not sure, reread the last few screens.