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| An HIV-Antibody test is a blood test that
detects HIV-antibodies in your blood. Antibodies are proteins
formed by the immune system when germs and viruses enter into
the body. The presence of HIV antibodies in the blood shows
that the person has been infected. However, in the case of HIV,
the antibodies produced are only able to fight off the virus
in the early stage of infection. As the virus reproduces in
the body, the antibodies become weaker and unable to fight the
virus. |
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| You can get a free anonymous test done
in all Government Clinics ('Klinik
Kesihatan') run by the State Health Department. |
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| A rapid HIV test is used in
anonymous testing. This test usually produces results in less
than 10 minutes. The rapid test or also known as ELISA.
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| Procedures for an Anonymous Test ('Ujian Tanpa
Nama') |
- You need to get to a Government Clinic ('Klinik Kesihatan')
for this test.
- You don't have to register at the counter. Directly enquire
with an officer in-charge and request for an anonymous HIV
test.
- The doctor will counsel you; this is called the Pre-Test
Counseling. You need to inform the doctors why do you
think you need to take the test (the doctor then may suggest
that you take the test or otherwise).
- Your finger would be pricked with a clean and unused needle,
and a few drops of blood will placed on the testing kit.
- Post-Test
Counseling will be given before the test result is revealed.
The doctor will explain to you about Window
Period. You will be asked to take another test in 3
months for confirmation. During this 3-months interim period
between the first and second test, avoid all high-risk behaviour
such as unsafe sex or sharing needles.
- A negative (non-reactive) results shows that HIV antibodies
are not detected in your blood. If the result is positive,
the doctors will advice you to take another test, in which
5ml blood will be drawn from you and sent to the lab for
testing, as all positive results must be followed with a
Confirmation Test. You will be required to provide your
personal particular in the confirmation test form. All information
provided are confidential.
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| Procedures for a Confirmation Test |
- Confirmatory test is conducted confidentially. Only the
officer or doctor in charge will have your personal particulars.
- A blood sample (5mls) will be drawn from you and will
be sent to for analysis.
- You should receive a test result within 2-weeks. Before
informing you about the confirmatory test result, a post-test
counseling will be provided.
- If test result is negative, you will be given information
on how to protect yourself from getting infected in the
future.
- If the result is positive, you will be referred to your
choice of government hospital for further counseling, check-up
and treatment.
- A confirmed positive result means that HIV antibodies
are detected in the blood, and you can infect other people.
However, this does not mean that you will fall sick in a
short period of time. A HIV-positive person should seek
further counseling and medical treatment to maintain health
and prolong life.
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| The entire test conducted at the government
hospitals is confidential. |
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| Procedures for a Confidential Test |
- If you have to register at the out patient clinic counter
where you will be required to give your details.
- You don't have to tell the person at the counter, that
you want to take a HIV test. Just inform them that you need
to see a doctor.
- The doctor will counsel you; this is called the pre-test
counseling.
- You need to inform the doctor why do you think you need
to take the test. (The doctor then may suggest that you
take the test or otherwise.
- A blood sample (5mls) will be drawn from you and will
be sent to for analysis.
- You should receive a test result within 2-weeks. Before
informing you about the test result, a post-test counseling
will be provided.
- If test result is negative, HIV antibodies are not detected
in your blood. The doctor will explain to you about window
period and might suggest that you take another test after
3 months.
- If the result is positive, a confirmation test will be
done.
- If the result is positive after confirmation test, you
will be referred to your choice of government hospital for
further counseling, check-up and treatment.
- A confirmed positive result means that HIV antibodies
are detected in the blood, and you can infect other people.
However, this does not mean that you will fall sick in a
short period of time. A HIV-positive person should seek
further counseling and medical treatment to maintain health
and prolong life.
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| This is the situation in most prison and
rehabilitation centers in Malaysia. |
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