What is an HIV-Antibody Test?
An HIV-Antibody test is a blood test that detects HIV-antibodies in your blood. Antibodies are proteins formed by the immune system when germs and viruses enter into the body. The presence of HIV antibodies in the blood shows that the person has been infected. However, in the case of HIV, the antibodies produced are only able to fight off the virus in the early stage of infection. As the virus reproduces in the body, the antibodies become weaker and unable to fight the virus.
Getting HIV Antibody Test in Brunei Darussalam:
Government Hospitals
Selected private clinics
Standard patience procedures applies
Getting HIV Antibody Test in Malaysia:
Anonymous
You can get a free anonymous test done in all Government Clinics ('Klinik Kesihatan') run by the State Health Department.
A rapid HIV test is used in anonymous testing. This test usually produces results in less than 10 minutes. The rapid test or also known as ELISA.
Procedures for an Anonymous Test ('Ujian Tanpa Nama')-in Malaysia Only
You need to get to a Government Clinic ('Klinik Kesihatan') for this test.
You don't have to register at the counter. Directly enquire with an officer in-charge and request for an anonymous HIV test.
The doctor will counsel you; this is called the Pre-Test Counseling. You need to inform the doctors why do you think you need to take the test (the doctor then may suggest that you take the test or otherwise).
Your finger would be pricked with a clean and unused needle, and a few drops of blood will placed on the testing kit.
Post-Test Counseling will be given before the test result is revealed. The doctor will explain to you about Window Period. You will be asked to take another test in 3 months for confirmation. During this 3-months interim period between the first and second test, avoid all high-risk behaviour such as unsafe sex or sharing needles.
A negative (non-reactive) results shows that HIV antibodies are not detected in your blood. If the result is positive, the doctors will advice you to take another test, in which 5ml blood will be drawn from you and sent to the lab for testing, as all positive results must be followed with a Confirmation Test. You will be required to provide your personal particular in the confirmation test form. All information provided are confidential.
Procedures for a Confirmation Test - in Malaysia Only
Confirmatory test is conducted confidentially. Only the officer or doctor in charge will have your personal particulars.
A blood sample (5mls) will be drawn from you and will be sent to for analysis.
You should receive a test result within 2-weeks. Before informing you about the confirmatory test result, a post-test counseling will be provided.
If test result is negative, you will be given information on how to protect yourself from getting infected in the future.
If the result is positive, you will be referred to your choice of government hospital for further counseling, check-up and treatment.
A confirmed positive result means that HIV antibodies are detected in the blood, and you can infect other people. However, this does not mean that you will fall sick in a short period of time. A HIV-positive person should seek further counseling and medical treatment to maintain health and prolong life.
Confidential
The entire test conducted at the government hospitals is confidential.
Procedures for a Confidential Test - in Malaysia Only
If you have to register at the out patient clinic counter where you will be required to give your details.
You don't have to tell the person at the counter, that you want to take a HIV test. Just inform them that you need to see a doctor.
The doctor will counsel you; this is called the pre-test counseling.
You need to inform the doctor why do you think you need to take the test. (The doctor then may suggest that you take the test or otherwise
A blood sample (5mls) will be drawn from you and will be sent to for analysis.
You should receive a test result within 2-weeks. Before informing you about the test result, a post-test counseling will be provided.
If test result is negative, HIV antibodies are not detected in your blood. The doctor will explain to you about window period and might suggest that you take another test after 3 months.
If the result is positive, a confirmation test will be done.
If the result is positive after confirmation test, you will be referred to your choice of government hospital for further counseling, check-up and treatment.
A confirmed positive result means that HIV antibodies are detected in the blood, and you can infect other people. However, this does not mean that you will fall sick in a short period of time. A HIV-positive person should seek further counseling and medical treatment to maintain health and prolong life.
*Info courtesy of Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC)