In the U.S., Oklahoma is among the top 7 states with the highest rural HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) burden. This data itself should be your alarm to get tested for HIV. If this doesn’t push you enough, here’s another fact – in the last 5 years, an estimated 21% who were diagnosed with HIV in OK were late testers. If you have HIV, a viral infection, it can weaken your immune system, ultimately leading to AIDS. So, if you’re involved in unprotected sex (vaginal, anal, and oral) and share needles/syringes, get tested now at Equality Health. Our clinic provides early HIV testing with prevention (PrEP) treatment in Oklahoma. Call us now!
Types of Full Panel HIV Testing Available in Oklahoma
Antibody Test, Antigen Test, and Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) are the 3 types of HIV testing available. When your body is exposed to HIV, your immune system produces antibodies. On the other hand, antigens are proteins that get activated by your immune system. So, if you have HIV in your body, an antigen called p24 is produced before antibodies develop.
At our HIV testing center in Oklahoma, our providers usually perform blood or oral fluid tests. Here are the types of HIV testing available in our center in Oklahoma:
Antibody Test
- Purpose: To detect antibodies produced by the immune system in response to HIV.
- Procedure: This test is done by drawing blood from a vein, finger stick, or oral fluid.
- Window Period: It detects HIV 23 to 90 days after exposure. Most rapid tests and self-tests are antibody tests.
- Rapid Test: Available. A rapid antibody test can detect HIV 18 to 90 days after exposure. This test has a quick run time of less than 30 minutes.
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Antigen Test
- Purpose: To identify specific proteins of the HIV.
- Procedure: This test is done by taking blood out from a finger stick or blood from a vein.
- Window Period: It detects HIV 18 to 45 days after exposure.
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Nucleic Acid Tests (NATs)
- Purpose: To directly detect the genetic material of HIV and how much virus is present in the blood. This test is also called HIV RNA or a viral load test.
- Procedure: This test is done by taking blood out from your vein. Then, the sample of your blood will be sent to a lab for testing.
- Window Period: It detects HIV 10 to 33 days after exposure.
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For a lab test, you must call Equality Health and schedule an appointment. Call us today!
Navigating the HIV Testing Process: From Pre-test to Post-test
We’ve simplified our HIV testing process into 5 easy-to-understand steps:
- Pre-test counseling: Before anything, we address your concerns and provide valuable information about HIV and testing methods to help you choose the appropriate test for your needs.
- Sample collection methods: We have multiple options for sample collection. Your comfortable testing experience in Oklahoma is our priority.
- Laboratory testing: Our accredited labs use state-of-the-art technology to analyze your samples, ensuring reliable results accurately. During lab evaluations, we check Enzyme Immunoassays (EIAs) to see the presence of antibodies, p24 antigen, and RNA or DNA of the HIV’s genetic material using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) or NATs.
- Turnaround time: You can get results within 30 minutes (antibody tests) or 1-2 business days (antigen/antibody tests), or about 1 week (NATs). We give you quick access to essential information about your HIV status.
- Post-test counseling and support: Regardless of your test results, our caring team offers personalized guidance and resources to support your health and well-being.
HIV Testing Frequency and Risk Factors
According to the CDC, everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 should get tested for HIV at least once.
People with these risk factors must get tested at least once a year:
- An individual who has/had sex with another individual.
- Any person who does anal/vaginal sex with an HIV-infected person.
- Anyone who had more than one sex partner since your last HIV test.
- If you share needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment.
- You exchange sex for drugs or money.
- If you’ve already been diagnosed with or treated for another STD.
- You were also diagnosed or treated for Hepatitis/Tuberculosis (TB).
- If you’ve had sex with someone who marks any one of the criteria listed above. Or with someone whose sexual history you don’t know.
So, in Oklahoma, we always ask our patients these questions about their sexual and drug use history before recommending any HIV test. So here’s what we recommend testing for HIV:
- If you are at the age of 13 to 64, get tested once in your life.
- For sexually active individuals, get tested once a year.
- High-risk individuals with multiple partners and involved in unprotected sex or sharing needles to get tested every 3 to 6 months.
- And if you are pregnant, get HIV tested during each pregnancy.
Interpreting HIV Test Results: Understanding Your Status
When you receive your HIV test results, you must understand what they mean and how to proceed on your path to better health. Here’s how your test results are usually interpreted:
- Positive: This result indicates an HIV infection and requires prompt follow-up care.
- Negative: It means no HIV infection is detected, but continued testing might be necessary for individuals at high risk.
- Indeterminate: This result means the test is inconclusive and requires further testing to confirm your status.
Our dedicated team will always inform you of the necessary confirmatory testing procedures or follow-up care based on your results. We’re committed to empowering you with the knowledge you need to take control of your health.
Confidentiality and Privacy: Your Rights and Protections
We understand how sensitive it can be for you to get HIV testing. You might also think that this diagnosis can affect your current relationship with your friends and family and cause housing and employment problems. Even research shows that a large number of people avoid getting HIV tests because they’re afraid of other people’s negative attitudes toward HIV. However, that’s not true; those are just outdated beliefs about HIV.
To protect yourself from these anxiety-causing stigmas, we always maintain your test result’s confidentiality and privacy. We adhere to all state and federal regulations to protect your privacy, including Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) standards.
Your personal information is safe and secure with Equality Health, and we also offer confidential HIV treatment in Oklahoma!
Support and Resources on HIV Testing in Oklahoma
Including everything mentioned above, our comprehensive Oklahoma HIV testing package includes:
- Emotional support and professional counseling services for individuals undergoing HIV testing
- Referrals to top HIV care specialists to ensure a seamless and efficient transition to the appropriate level of care
- Local and online resources for HIV prevention and education to fill the gap in your knowledge.
Contact Our HIV Testing Center in Oklahoma
Equality Health (Equality Health) proudly offers our expert HIV testing services in Oklahoma. Ready to get tested in our HIV clinic? Schedule an appointment with Equality Health for HIV testing. Our services are available in Edmond, Moore, Norman, and Oklahoma City. Call us at 405-761-2762.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For antibody/antigen tests, we draw blood from your vein or use a finger stick to search for HIV antibodies/antigens. A similar step is taken for the NATs where we detect HIV count directly. At Equality Health, we often provide rapid antibody tests within 20 minutes or less, and these are all affordable HIV testing options as we offer free tests.
Antibody tests, Antigen tests, and nucleic acid tests (NATs) are the three tests available for HIV. Here’s what each 3 tests searches for:
- Antibody Test: It helps to search and detect antibodies that your body produces in response to HIV. It is a blood or oral fluid test.
- Antigen Test: It helps to look for HIV antibodies and antigens. This test is blood-based HIV testing.
- Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) or HIV Viral Load Test: This test can accurately tell if a person has HIV or how much virus is present in the blood.
You can detect HIV 18 to 90 days after exposure if you opt for a rapid antibody/antigen test. For antigen/antibody lab tests, HIV can be detected in 19 to 45 days after exposure. Similarly, with the Nucleic Acid Test (NAT), you can get tested and detect HIV within 10 to 33 days after exposure. So make sure that you know this testing period before getting tested for HIV.
For someone who is infected with HIV, it takes about 2 weeks for HIV antigen to get detected with an antigen test. However, for HIV antibodies to be produced in your body at a detectable amount, it will take more than 3 weeks. The antibody test in the 4th week is 95% accurate, whereas the antibody test in the 12th week is 99.9% accurate.
Antibody tests, antigen tests, and nucleic acid tests are the types of tests that detect HIV. To confirm diagnosis, we need 2 different antibody tests or an antibody test and positive NAT. These tests involve drawing blood from your vein and sending it to the lab.
Except for blood-based HIV testing, there are tests that use salvia to detect HIV. Your oral fluid is analyzed to look for the presence of antibodies. These are often available over the counter to perform yourself at home.
