The human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV ) destroys the defenses of our body and causes us to suffer infections, tumors and other diseases. AIDS is the most serious phase of HIV infection.
It is estimated that 20% of people infected with HIV do not know their seropositivity.
The early diagnosis of the infection allows to improve the effectiveness of the treatment, to keep the disease under control and to enjoy a good quality of life. In addition, people infected with HIV who do not know it can transmit the virus to others if they do not take preventive measures.
What is the HIV Rapid Test?
It is a test that detects the presence of antibodies against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
It consists of a small prick on the finger to get a few drops of blood that come in contact with a test strip.
The result is obtained in approximately 20 minutes and lets you know, with a reliability close to one hundred percent, whether or not you have the virus.
Who should get tested for HIV?
You can take the test if you are over 16 and consider that you have been exposed to any of these risky behaviors:
you have had vaginal, anal or oral sex without a condom with a person who has HIV or whose status you do not know about HIV
you have shared syringes or other necessary tools for the injection of drugs (syringes, needles, spoons, filters ...)
For the test result to be reliable, the window period must have passed , which is the time it takes for the body to generate the antibodies that the test detects. This period is at least three months from the risk practice. If the test is done before three months, it must be repeated after that time.
IF YOU HAVE HAD A RISK PRACTICE, MAKE YOUR HIV TEST.
Where can you get the HIV Rapid Test?
On December 1, 2010 began a program of early detection of HIV launched by the Ministry of Health of the Board of Castilla y León and the Council of Professional Associations of Pharmacists of Castilla y León that aims to improve the accessibility of the population of risk of testing for HIV. At the moment, you can take the test in 16 pharmacies in the Community.
In Valladolid you can find three pharmacy offices:
The tests will always be done respecting confidentiality and anonymity , so no personal data is taken.
The price of each test is $ 5.
In addition to performing the test at the pharmacy they will provide information and preventive advice on HIV / AIDS.