Sexual Wellness
HIV Testing & Counseling
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Beginning 1 July 2006, Student Wellness will be offering the OraQuick Advance Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody test (ADVANCE) for FREE. Due to re-allocation of funding and support from Undergraduate Student Government (USG) we are able to offer a certain number of ADVANCE tests for free throughout the academic year. Because of the popularity of the ADVANCE test we will not use the OraSure test until further notice.
Therefore, the only test available in the Student Wellness Center is the ADVANCE test.
The ADVANCE test:
- Is an oral swab – NO NEEDLES or blood
- Is accurate outside the 3-6 month window period
- Is an anonymous test through the Student Wellness Center, while Student Health Services offers Confidential HIV Antibody Testing (For pricing information on the Confidential HIV Test, call 292-4321).
- Draws antibodies from gum cells, not saliva.
What is the difference between the ADVANCE test and the OraSure test?
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about HIV Antibody Testing.
What is the difference between anonymous and confidential testing?
Am I at Risk or Should I get Tested?
The following are known risk factors for HIV infection. If you answer yes to any of these questions, it would be recommended you seek counseling and testing. You may be at increased risk of infection if any of the following apply to you since 1978.
- Have you injected drugs or steroids or shared equipment (such as needles, syringes, cotton, water) with others?
- Have you had unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with men who have sex with men, multiple partners (more than one), or anonymous partners?
- Have you exchanged sex for drugs or money?
- Have you been diagnosed with or treated for hepatitis, tuberculosis (TB), or a sexually transmitted infection (STI), like syphilis, herpes, chlamydia, etc.?
- Have you received a blood transfusion or clotting factor between 1978 and 1985?
- Have you had unprotected sex with someone who would/could answer yes to any of the above questions?
If you have had sex with someone whose history of risk-taking behavior is unknown to you or if you or they may have had multiple sex partners, then you have increased the chances that you might be HIV infected.
What is the "Window Period"?
It can take your body up to six months after your last possible exposure to the virus (i.e. last incidence of unprotected sex) to develop enough antibodies to be detected by the HIV antibody test. Because of this "Window Period", re-testing may be necessary for people who have been potentially exposed six months prior to being tested. The test is approximately 99.8% accurate after six months.
How long does the test take?
An HIV Counselor will talk to you for approximately 20 minutes during your appointment to assess your HIV risk and ways to reduce that risk. The actual test itself takes approximately 30 seconds to complete. After taking the ADVANCE test clients would wait approximately 20-40 minutes for their results.
How is the ADVANCE test administered?
The ADVANCE test is an oral swab which the client uses to swab in the gum line (above the teeth and against the outer gum) on top and bottom one time each.
If the test is positive, does that mean I have HIV?
If the ADVANCE test is reactive, it is considered a PRELIMINARY POSITIVE. This suggests that antibodies to HIV may be present, but a client would need to get a confirmatory test done before knowing for sure what their HIV status is.
If the OraSure test (previously used in the Student Wellness Center) is reactive, it is considered a positive result and HIV antibodies were found. Additional testing is not necessary as each specimen is confirmed prior to the clients 2nd appointment.
If the test is negative, does that mean I don’t have HIV?
It can take your body up to six months after your last possible exposure to the virus (i.e., last incidence of unprotected sex, sharing of needles, etc.) to develop enough antibodies to be detected by the HIV antibody test. Because of this "Window Period", re-testing may be necessary for people who have been potentially exposed within six months prior to being tested.
Who are the HIV Test Counselor?
HIV test counselors are student volunteers who are extensively trained on all aspects of HIV test counseling. If you would prefer to have a professional staff member as your counselor please request one when scheduling your appointment.
How do I make an appointment?
To schedule an appointment for Anonymous HIV Antibody Counseling and Testing, call the Student Wellness Center at 292-4527 or stop in to schedule an appointment in B130 RPAC. Walk-ins are welcome at all outreaches; for a list of outreaches please check out our events page
How do I become a volunteer HIV Test Counselor?
Please visit our Volunteer/Employment page to learn more about how you can volunteer to be trained as an HIV Test Counselor.
For More Information
For more information or to learn more about Anonymous HIV Antibody Counseling and Testing, contact the Student Wellness Center at 292-4527 or email miller.1572@osu.edu.
For more information about other HIV and STI Testing sites in Columbus, check out Sexual Health Resources and Links or phone the Student Wellness Center at 292.4527.
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