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Nervous about a Hair Follicle Test

Written by Megan on April 9, 2013 — Leave a Comment

Q: I have been asked to submit to a hair follicle drug test for my job. I have never had to take a hair follicle test before, and I’m a little bit nervous. I don’t have a high threshold for pain, and I don’t want to be left with a bald spot. Can you please tell me what to expect from this type of testing?

L. McPherson

Seattle, WA

A: There is nothing to be nervous about with this type of testing. A hair follicle test does require a hair sample, but this is usually not a painful procedure. A trained technician will remove approximately 100 hairs from your head. You may experience a bit of mild discomfort during the removal, but they make every effort to keep you comfortable. While 100 hairs may sound like a lot, there are literally thousands of hairs on your head. The removal of 100 hairs will most likely not leave any bald spots. If you do not have enough hair on your head, the collector may opt for body hair. They can take the hair from your under arms, legs, arms, or chest.

Once the collection process is complete, you should receive your results in about a week or so. Hair testing is used as an alternative to urine testing because it offers a longer range of detection, and it is also harder to adulterate. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to let us know.

Are These Symptoms of Chlamydia?

Written by Megan on April 4, 2013 — Leave a Comment

Q: I am a 23-year-old female, and I have been experiencing back pain and abnormal discharge. I had unprotected sex several weeks ago. I have been doing some research, and I’m afraid I might have an STD. Does this sound like symptoms of chlamydia?

L. Powell

Richmond, VA

A: The symptoms you mentioned do fall within the possible symptoms of chlamydia. However, those particular symptoms could be a sign of something else. Chlamydia has other symptoms, too, including burning and itching during urination, painful intercourse, and abnormal bleeding.

The best thing you can do at this point since you did have unprotected sex is seek testing. A screening for various STDs will help put your mind at ease. Chlamydia is easily treated in most cases, and if detected soon it does not cause any permanent damage. If you do not have an STD, you need to schedule an appointment with your physician to pinpoint the cause of your discomfort.

Posted in Chlamydia | Tagged Symptoms of Chlamydia

STD Testing for Sexually Active Teen

Written by Megan on April 2, 2013 — Leave a Comment

Q: I just found out that my teen daughter is sexually active. Do I need to schedule her for STD testing? She says she has always used protection, but I’m not so sure.

G. Brigade

Amarillo, TX

A: Using protection greatly reduces her risk of contracting an STD; however, it is certainly not 100 percent effective. It is important for all sexually active people to seek testing every once in a while. Not all STDs present symptoms, but they can still be transmitted to others. The only way to be sure that she does not have an STD is to get tested.

Testing can be sought in various ways, including through a personal doctor or the local health department. We offer fast and private testing at local collection centers. Simply call our office to arrange for testing, provide the specimen(s), and then wait for results. Our counselors can discuss your daughter’s testing needs and find a good collection site for her.

Posted in STD Testing | Tagged Find HIV and STD Testing

Occupational Exposure to HIV

Written by Megan on March 28, 2013 — Leave a Comment

Q: I believe I had an occupational exposure to HIV recently, but I’m not sure if I’m ready to test yet. I’ve heard that you have to wait 3-6 months for a reliable HIV test, is this true? Are there any other options?

A: If you believe that you may have been exposed to HIV, it is a good decision to seek testing as soon as possible. With traditional HIV antibody testing you need to wait 6-12 weeks post exposure for a reliable result; however, HIV DNA PCR testing is designed for this kind of situation.

The PCR test can provide reliable results within days to weeks after an exposure, and is considered conclusive at 28 days post exposure. If the test returns a negative result you can be confident that everything is okay, and if it is positive you can get started on treatment right away. We offer both the PCR and antibody testing, and if you have questions or would like to make arrangements for a test you can always contact our office. We can discuss your risk and testing options, as well as answer any questions you may have.

Posted in HIV and AIDS | Tagged Antibody Test, HIV and AIDS, HIV DNA PCR, HIV PCR test, when to test for HIV

Best Test for HIV?

Written by Megan on March 28, 2013 — Leave a Comment

Q: I recently had a test done, but I want to be a hundred percent sure that my results are accurate. What is the best blood test for the HIV virus?

A: There are multiple tests that can be used to test for HIV, and depending on your situation one test may be better than another. The traditional test is an HIV antibody test. The test is considered conclusive for anything more than twelve weeks ago. This test is not ideal if you’ve had a recent exposure, or if you do not produce antibodies at a normal rate. For example, a person who is undergoing chemotherapy will often have a suppressed immune system which prevents them from developing antibodies normally. If you believe that you may not have a normal immune system or if you’ve had a recent exposure to the virus, you might consider an HIV DNA PCR test. The PCR is considered conclusive after 28 days, and is reliable even earlier than that. Rather than detecting your body’s response to the virus, the PCR essentially looks for the virus itself. It is a great option if you’ve had a recent exposure to HIV and don’t want to wait 12 weeks for an antibody test. Feel free to contact our office if you have any questions or would like more information about your testing options.

Posted in HIV and AIDS, HIV Testing | Tagged Antibody Test, HIV and AIDS, HIV DNA PCR, HIV PCR test, when to test for HIV

Who is at Risk for HIV?

Written by Megan on March 28, 2013 — Leave a Comment

Q: Can you tell me who is at risk for HIV? I’ve been associating with certain people that I’m concerned may be infected and I’m worried that I can contract it from them. Can you tell me what/who I should be worried about?

A: The truthful answer is that everyone is at risk for HIV, but certain groups of people are certainly at a higher risk. The groups of people that are at highest risk are intravenous drug users and men who have sex with men. You see, HIV is a virus that needs a break in your skin in order to be successfully transmitted. Using intravenous drugs and participating in anal sex are likely ways to cause openings or tears in the skin that allow that pathway.

Just because someone has HIV does not mean that you have to stop seeing them, it just means you need to be safe with them. Like I said earlier, HIV needs a direct pathway to your bloodstream in order to transmit. You will not contract it from hugging, shaking hands, them sneezing or coughing around you, and certainly not from sharing a toilet seat.

If you feel that you may have been exposed to the virus, it is important that you seek testing as soon as possible. There are tests for early detection of HIV, such as the HIV DNA PCR, and there are also tests for past exposures, such as the ELISA antibody test. For more information about these tests, or if you have questions about your exposure risk, please contact our office to speak with a counselor at your convenience. We can help you decide if you need to test, and what to test for.

Posted in HIV and AIDS | Tagged Antibody Test, HIV and AIDS, HIV DNA PCR, Risk Assessment

Protection or Not, Testing is a Good Idea

Written by Megan on March 28, 2013 — Leave a Comment

Q: I have only been sexually active for about six months. There was one incident in which protection was not used. Should I seek testing for STDs?

B. Case

Tampa, FL

A: If you have had unprotected sex it is a good idea to seek testing, even if you don’t show any noticeable symptoms. Many STDs do not present any symptoms, but can still be transmitted. Also, STDs that are left untreated can often lead to irreversible damage.

If you don’t have any symptoms and you’re just trying to be safe you can probably just stick with traditional STD testing. We offer a panel including the HIV antibody test as well as chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, and others. The testing process is fast, private, and easy. Please call our office if you have questions or would like to arrange for testing.

Posted in HIV Testing | Tagged HIV antibody test

Is an HIV PCR Test Suitable for Children?

Written by Megan on March 26, 2013 — Leave a Comment

Q: My partner was recently diagnosed with HIV – and she just had a baby two months ago. I’ve been doing some research and would like to know more about your HIV PCR test. Is it a suitable form of testing for a baby?

W. Hallows

Boulder, CO

A: The HIV PCR test is definitely suitable for babies. In fact, it is more appropriate than traditional antibody testing in most cases. With any case of HIV, especially in children, early detection and treatment is ideal. The PCR is extremely sensitive and can provide reliable results within days to weeks after exposure.

It is certainly a good idea to have your child tested. In the meantime, try to keep calm. Simply because a child is born to a HIV-positive mother does not mean that they will contract it themselves. You may ask your doctor about the test, or you can contact our office for more information. All of our testing is fast, private, and confidential. We could have your child in a collection center as early as the same day you call, and results are typically returned within a few business days.

Posted in HIV DNA by PCR | Tagged HIV PCR test

When Is HIV Detectable in Blood?

Written by Megan on March 21, 2013 — Leave a Comment

Q: I had an HIV blood test done with my doctor a few weeks ago, and everything came back negative. I’ve been reading about window periods online and now I’m concerned that I tested too early. When is HIV detectable in the blood?

A: Your doctor could have run a couple different types of tests, but most likely they ran a standard HIV antibody test. The antibody test is reliable for anything more than 6 weeks ago, and conclusive for anything more than 12 weeks ago. If you had something in that 6-12 week window, you might consider retesting when it’s been 12 weeks from the incident you’re concerned about. If the incident was in the past six weeks you might consider early detection testing.

The HIV DNA PCR is an early detection test that is considered conclusive for HIV 28 days after exposure. In reality it is reliable much earlier than that. It can cost more than traditional testing, but sometimes the cost is worth the early comfort. If you have questions or are interested in testing, please do not hesitate to let us know. We can help you decide what to test for and when.

Posted in HIV and AIDS, HIV Testing | Tagged Antibody Test, HIV and AIDS, HIV antibody test, HIV DNA PCR

Post Exposure Prophylaxis After Exposure

Written by Megan on March 21, 2013 — Leave a Comment

Q: I think that I had an exposure to HIV, where can I get Post Exposure Prophylaxis?

A: Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) can usually be found through your local emergency room (ER). However, it is not something that doctors are willing to give to just anyone. Generally it is reserved for people that have had a known exposure to the virus and are at high risk. The treatment itself is intense and can carry lots of side-effects.

Based on the fact that you said you “think” you had an exposure, it is questionable that you will receive PEP. If you are concerned about a recent possible exposure, you may consider an HIV DNA PCR test. The test is designed for early detection of HIV, providing reliable results within days to weeks after an exposure. If the test returns a positive result you will have what you need to begin treatment, and if it returns a negative result you will have the early comfort you are looking for. If you have questions or would like more information on the PCR or other testing, please do not hesitate to contact our office to speak with a counselor.

Posted in HIV and AIDS | Tagged HIV and AIDS, HIV DNA PCR, Post Exposure Prophylaxis

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Nervous about a Hair Follicle Test

Are These Symptoms of Chlamydia?

STD Testing for Sexually Active Teen

Occupational Exposure to HIV

Best Test for HIV?

Who is at Risk for HIV?

Protection or Not, Testing is a Good Idea

Is an HIV PCR Test Suitable for Children?

When Is HIV Detectable in Blood?

Post Exposure Prophylaxis After Exposure

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