HIV

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DEPAUW HEALTH SERVICES INFORMATION ABOUT HIV TESTING Confidential Human Immunodeficiency (HIV-AIDS antibody) testing is available at the DePauw University Student Health Services. Blood is drawn here and sent for testing to the Indiana State Board of Health. Confidential test results are generally available within 2 weeks.

CONFIDENTIAL TESTING means that the results of the HIV test, like any other test result, will become part of your permanent medical record at the DePauw University Student Health Services. The medical record can only be released by your written request or court order. If your test result is positive, it is required by Indiana law to report it to the State Board of Health.

Student Health is concerned that you may forget that this information is contained in your health record. Often patients request that their medical records be released to prospective employers or insurance companies. This may not be in your best interest due to the discrimination that has been experienced by individuals who are HIV positive, or, in some cases, those who are negative but had the test.

ANONYMOUS TESTING for HIV antibody testing means no medical record is generated. Instead of identifying you by name, an identification number is assigned to you. Only you know the results of your test and the State Department of Health is not notified. DePauw University Health Services does not offer anonymous HIV testing.

Anonymous Testing Sites

Public Health Nursing Association
Bloomington, IN
Mon.10-2; Fri. 9-12; 
(812) 353-3269
Ext. "positive link"

Planned Parenthood
Indianapolis, IN
Mon. 11-7:30 PM
(317) 876-1774

Vigo County Health Department
Terre Haute, IN
Thurs. by appointment only
(812) 462-3431

Planned Parenthood
Avon,IN
Wed. 10:30- 6:00pm
(317) 272-2042

BellFlower Clinic
Indianapolis, IN
(317) 221-83

Planned Parenthood
Terre Haute, IN
Wed. 10:30- 6 PM
(812)238-2636

TEST RESULTS A positive test by itself does not diagnose AIDS; it detects antibody to HIV. It does mean you are infected and can transmit the virus to your sex or needle-sharing partners. If your result is negative, infection is still possible if you had unsafe sex or shared needles in the past 6 months. Also, this does not mean immunity to the virus. Someone may have HIV but not yet develop enough antibody for the test to measure. Testing less than 6 weeks after HIV exposure may fail to detect the HIV antibody. Retesting is not recommended unless there has been unsafe sex or needle-sharing in the past 6 months.

Please ask us if you have any questions regarding HIV testing that have not been answered. You may also contact the Indiana State Board of Health Hotline or the AIDS Hotline.

AIDS Hotline 1-800-342-2437

WHAT IS HIV /AIDS? AIDS is Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is caused by the human inmmunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV is passed by semen, vaginal fluids and blood of HIV infected people. As time passes, HIV begins to destroy cells that defend the body. Without the cells that are a part of the immune system, the body cannot defend itself from illness. AIDS occurs when the body's immune system has been severely damaged. At this point a person with AIDS can get many different kinds of life threatening infections and cancers.

Most people infected with HIV look and feel healthy. The average length of time between exposure to the virus and onset of symptoms is 8-10 years. Because of the delay of the beginning of symptoms, many people may not even suspect that they are infected with HIV. About 1-1.5 million people in the United States have HIV infection. They can spread the virus to others.

A study by the American College Health Association indicates that 1 in 500 college students is infected with HIV. College students are at an age when they are most at risk for other sexually transmitted diseases (ages 18-24). For many students, college provides freedom from restraints and freedom to experiment with sexual relationships, behaviors and drugs.

HOW DO PEOPLE GET HIV?

  • Sexual Contact

    Anal and vaginal intercourse: HIV is more likely to be transmitted by unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse than by other sexual activities. Anal intercourse is more likely to allow HIV transmission because HIV can attach itself to cells in the lower rectum.

    Oral Sex (oral-genital contact): The risk of acquiring HIV infection by performing oral sex on a man is uncertain. There may be some risk, but it is much lower than the risk of vaginal or anal intercourse. The chance of acquiring HIV by performing oral sex on a woman is not precisely known, but also seems small.

    Kissing: There is absolutely no evidence that kissing can transmit the virus. No case of HIV infection has been traced to exposure to saliva in any circumstance.

    There is no chance of transmitting HIV through sexual activities that do not involve direct contact of semen, vaginal secretions or blood. Touching, stroking, massage and masturbation, alone or with a partner do not transmit HIV.

     

  • Blood

    Needle-sharing: Blood infected with HIV may be transmitted when needles are shared. This can occur in IV drug use, anabolic steroid use, as well as other situations if needles are shared such as tattooing and ear piercing.

    Blood and blood product transfusions: HIV has been transmitted in blood and blood products used in the medical treatment of hemophilia, injuries and serious illness. However, at this time the blood supply is safer than it has ever been. The combination of screening donors and testing blood has reduced the risk of acquiring HIV through blood transfusions.

    Accidents in health care: A small number of people have been infected with HIV in a health care setting. Usually they were infected as a result of injuries involving needles containing the blood of a person with HIV infection.

     

  • Mother to Infant

    Women who have HIV infection can transmit the virus to their babies, pre-birth or during delivery and possibly through breast milk.

     

HOW CAN I REDUCE MY RISK OF ACQUIRING HIV?

  • Not having anal, vaginal or oral sexual intercourse provides protection against the sexual transmission of HIV.
  • For individuals who choose to have sexual intercourse, using a latex condom or dental dam can provide a high level of protection against the transmission of HIV. For a high level of protection, it is very important that the condom be used consistently and correctly.
    1. Put the condom on the erect penis before any contact with the vagina or anus.
    2. Use water-based lubricants such as KY jelly or special lubricants made to be used with a latex condom. Do not use hand lotion, vaseline or any other oil based lubricants.
    3. Nonoxynol-9 spermicide is not adequate protection by itself. Birth control pills provide no protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
    4. Dental dams or latex squares made by cutting a non-lubricated condom can be used for oral/genital sex.
  • Remove alcohol and other drugs from sexual activity. Alcohol can limit your ability to use the safer sex precautions listed above. Alcohol can also make communication with your partner difficult.
  • Communication: Know your partner. Discuss and use safer sex. Communication can help build strong caring relationships, but communication alone is not enough to protect you. Use safer sex precautions with every partner. Avoid giving up safer sex as a way to show your love and commitment in a relationship. Safer sex practices will help you in a new relationship, an ongoing relationship and ending a relationship, if that should occur.
  • Never share a needle that has been used by someone else.

DEPAUW UNIVERSITY STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES
CONFIDENTIAL HIV TESTING CONSENT

If you would like a confidential HIV test through the DePauw University Health Services, please read the information below and you will be asked to sign consent form.

  • I have read about and understand the difference between anonymous and confidential testing.
  • If my test result is positive, DePauw Health Services is required by state law to provide the Indiana State Department of Health with my name. The State Department of Health in turn holds this information on a strictly confidential basis. The purpose of this is to help me access the proper channels for treatment and counseling.
  • I understand that a positive test does not mean that I have AIDS.
  • I understand that a negative test may not mean that I am not infected. This is because, in early HIV infection, changes in the blood have not occurred to turn the test positive. This period is usually less than six months but can be up to one year.
  • I understand that a positive test result could cause psychological stress for me.
  • I understand that if my HIV antibody test is positive, I will be counseled as to my duty to notify my past, present and furture sex and/or needle-sharing partners of my disease status.
  • I understand that if I feel I cannot contact or locate my past and present sex or needle- sharing partners for any reason, that a trained Disease Intervention Specialist will assist me by confidentially notifying my partners and advising them of the need for counseling and testing.
  • I have had the opportunity to ask questions and have them answered.
  • I have read and understand the information presented above. I am requesting that the DePauw University Student Health Services draw a blood specimen for confidential HIV testing.
  • I understand that test results will not be provided by phone. All results must be obtained in person.