AIDS Bow Valley

"When I had bloodtests done for my physical, marriage license, or insurance, was I tested for HIV antibodies? Do hospitals routinely test for HIV infection?"
You should not assume that your blood was tested for HIV antibodies. If you are concerned, ask your health care provider what tests will be done whenever you have blood taken. If you are still concerned, ask specifically if your blood was or will be tested for HIV antibodies.
"If I'm pregnant or thinking about having a baby, should I be counseled and tested?"
If you or your sex or drug partner have engaged in behaviors that can transmit HIV, you should get counseling and testing. If you test positive you should be aware that without treatment there is a one-in-four chance that you will pass the virus to your unborn baby. Medical treatment can reduce this to about 1 chance in 12. If you are already pregnant, you should tell your health care provider that you tested positive. This will help your provider care for you and your baby during and after the pregnancy.
"What if my insurance company wants me to take a test?"
An insurance company may require that you be tested for HIV infection if you apply for a health or life policy. You have the right not to take the test. You must choose whether to take the test or find an insurer who will not ask you to do so. If the test is required, either to determine if you will be covered or to set the rates, you may wish to be tested anonymously or confidentially first.
"Will my insurer find out if I test positive?"
Your insurer will know you took the test if you pay for the test through insurance. Insurers can find out your test result only if you release it. On some insurance forms, your signature authorizes release of medical records. If you are concerned, do not sign medical release forms unless you know their purpose. You may also choose to be counseled and tested at a facility separate from your health care provider. These facilities include publicly-funded testing sites, sexually transmitted disease clinics, and family planning clinics.
"My partner tested negative. That means I'm not infected, right?" Your partner's test does not always tell your status. The only way to know whether you are infected is to have your own test.
"Can I continue to work if I have HIV infection?"
Yes, you can continue working if you have HIV infection. HIV cannot be spread by contact that does not involve blood, semen, or vaginal secretions. Many years after infection, some people still have no symptoms and continue to work productively. In the later stages of HIV infection, illness may cause you to be too sick to work. It depends on your health and your job duties.

	Prevention · Education · Support · Referrals Serving the mountain communities of Banff, Canmore, Kananaskis Lake Louise, Exshaw and Morley
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Free condoms are available at the following locations: AIDS Bow Valley The Living Room The Banff YWCA The Banff Centre Lube and dental dams are also available at the AIDS Bow Valley office 302 Buffalo St.	Other Questions about HIV/AIDS Counseling and Testing: "When I had bloodtests done for my physical, marriage license, or insurance, was I tested for HIV antibodies? Do hospitals routinely test for HIV infection?" You should not assume that your blood was tested for HIV antibodies. If you are concerned, ask your health care provider what tests will be done whenever you have blood taken. If you are still concerned, ask specifically if your blood was or will be tested for HIV antibodies. "If I'm pregnant or thinking about having a baby, should I be counseled and tested?" If you or your sex or drug partner have engaged in behaviors that can transmit HIV, you should get counseling and testing. If you test positive you should be aware that without treatment there is a one-in-four chance that you will pass the virus to your unborn baby. Medical treatment can reduce this to about 1 chance in 12. If you are already pregnant, you should tell your health care provider that you tested positive. This will help your provider care for you and your baby during and after the pregnancy. "What if my insurance company wants me to take a test?" An insurance company may require that you be tested for HIV infection if you apply for a health or life policy. You have the right not to take the test. You must choose whether to take the test or find an insurer who will not ask you to do so. If the test is required, either to determine if you will be covered or to set the rates, you may wish to be tested anonymously or confidentially first. "Will my insurer find out if I test positive?" Your insurer will know you took the test if you pay for the test through insurance. Insurers can find out your test result only if you release it. On some insurance forms, your signature authorizes release of medical records. If you are concerned, do not sign medical release forms unless you know their purpose. You may also choose to be counseled and tested at a facility separate from your health care provider. These facilities include publicly-funded testing sites, sexually transmitted disease clinics, and family planning clinics. "My partner tested negative. That means I'm not infected, right?" Your partner's test does not always tell your status. The only way to know whether you are infected is to have your own test. "Can I continue to work if I have HIV infection?" Yes, you can continue working if you have HIV infection. HIV cannot be spread by contact that does not involve blood, semen, or vaginal secretions. Many years after infection, some people still have no symptoms and continue to work productively. In the later stages of HIV infection, illness may cause you to be too sick to work. It depends on your health and your job duties.
©AIDS Bow Valley	Contact us: (Ph) 403 762 0690 (F) 403 762 0694 email: programs@aidsbowvalley.com