Question
How important is it to confirm a positive HIV test? Are meds safe for negative people?
19 November 2015. Related: All topics, HIV testing, Starting treatment.
My friend tested once and tested positive. They gave her ARVs that day without confirming their result. Is this right? If she is negative will there be damage, could she become ill because of the pills?
Answer
Hi,
HIV tests are accurate but a positive diagnosis always needs to be confirmed before starting treatment.
The only exception might be if there is an urgency to start treatment. Examples might be during late pregnancy or with a very low CD4 count. Even in these cases, the confirmatory HIV test still needs to be carried out.
The confirmative HIV test that is positive is 100% accurate.
HIV treatment is really important for people who have HIV. It means that they can live as long as people who do not have HIV.
Your friend can still test now. Her HIV treatment will not affect the test result.
Although all medicines have a risk of side effects, your firend is unlikely to have trouble in the time between tests.
You can find information about HIV testing and starting treatment on our website.