Is signing normal for HIV testing? + Vent
I haven't been intimate with anyone since February 2020. I bought a self-test in December 2020, which came back negative. But parts of me are still high-strung on anxiety on the possibility that I do have it. At the moment I am dependent on my parents, so if I do find out I am positive, the burden of paying for medication will fall on them until I am able to take over. My parents have been talking about bills and how expensive everything is now. So I've been avoiding the doctor so that they don't find out anything that may add to their stress.
I had a visit about a month or two ago, and they asked me if I wanted to test for HIV. I agreed to it and was told I can leave the room. A few minutes later a nurse approaches me in the hallway, tells me to enter a empty room and sign a form for HIV testing. I was already very nervous and had high anxiety so I signed the form without reading exactly what it said. I looked online that written consent isn't required for HIV testing and also isn't recommended, so I am confused on what it was that I signed and what they can do with that. I am supposed to come in again to complete the blood tests but this is keeping me back. I guess now I just want a second opinion on whether or not this is normal practice. Am I just being paranoid and should still go along with testing for HIV with this doctor? Find another doctor? Or perhaps just buy another self-test?
I hope this finds you doing well. I can definitely understand the fear and stress that you are currently experiencing. I hope you know that all of those concerns and emotions are valid.
While I am not a medical professional, I would personally recommend having a professional test done by a doctor's office. If you do not feel comfortable with the last office you went to, you could definitely try a different office/doctor.
If you test positive, there are government programs that you could look into in order to help cover the costs of treatment. I would focus on taking the step of having a test done first.
Let us know how things go for you. Best wishes - Heather R (team member)
It's understandable you would be nervous about returning, especially being rushed to sign something. Most HIV Testing should be confidential, and you have the right to request a copy of anything you signed, so when you do go back, you could request it.
Heather is right, there are resources available if you get to that point. I just wanted to add that this points you to a place you can find testing sites based on your zip code if you wanted to try a different testing site - https://h-i-v.net/living/testing-locator
Please, keep us posted on how you are doing and let us know what other resources we can point you to! You're not alone in this, we're here to listen. - Liz (Team Member)
I'm an HIV Peer Educator in a hospital, we have a form for people to sign saying they give consent to being tested. It needs to be signed by the tester if a patient turns up positive. The forms that patients fill out is entered into their medical file, paper trails are shredded daily.
We also provide forms for patients who want to give them to partners so they can't claim they were not told of a positive status.
