Negative: HIV- Gay Men Speak for Themselves

[Steven_Draker]

What do you think?

 

[video=youtube;Z7WDr9_mphU]

[bobchitown]

If they're "negative HIV+" would they be pos??

[SteveEscort]

In this type of work, we've probably all had sex with hiv positive men. I've never had a single client tell me he's hiv positive but it's neigh on impossible for me to have had sex with as many men as I have without having encountered an HIV positive man.

 

I am a firm believer that gay escorts should test as frequently as every 6 to 8 weeks. The test I take tells me my status 4 weeks ago. This way I've got an almost constant record of my status. Unfortunately there are many escorts who will be hiv positive. If an escort is happy to bareback with you, I would take it that they don't know their status or don't really care.

 

I am quite happy to have sex with an hiv positive client. I probably have done so already hundreds of times without knowing. Most sex workers probably have.

 

Plus for the record and as an incentive for other sex workers to test. I publicise my results on my website and on my twitter account and here they are for you all to see too. If I can get tested regularly, then you can too and keep everyone safe. Here in the UK you can even do the test yourself and send the blood off next day delivery for testing (completely free) and have your results text to you.

 

http://www.steveescort.co.uk/siteimages/stevehiv.jpg

[Steven_Draker]

Here in the UK you can even do the test yourself and send the blood off next day delivery for testing (completely free) and have your results text to you.

 

In Belgium you can do the test with your regular doctor, at the hospital or at one of the free clinics.

 

The results are always and only communicated in person at the doctor's office (never by phone, letter or text message).

[SteveEscort]

You can do all that here but unless it's a 1 hour face to face test your results are still given to you by text or phone.

[Steven_Draker]

Here's what the CDC recommends ...

 

Communicating HIV Test Results: Who? What? How?

May 09, 2013 | HIV AIDS, Infection

By Roula Baroudi, MD

 

The objective behind HIV screening in health care settings is to maximize the number of persons who are aware of their HIV infection and so receive appropriate care and prevention services in the timeliest way possible. The extremely sensitive and personal nature of an HIV test result, whether positive or negative, and the public health implications of a positive result are the basis upon which the CDC offers guidelines and recommendations for both HIV testing and for communicating test results. Here, a top-line Q &A and links to additional resources.

 

Who is in the best position to convey the results of an HIV test result to the patient?

The ordering clinician is the best one to inform the patient of the result. Providing the results of an HIV test, however, involves more than simply telling the patient that he or she is or is not infected. In the case of a negative test result, the CDC recommends education and counseling; in the case of a positive test, conveying the result involves providing emotional support in addition to structured guidance on the next level of care.

 

What to do when the HIV test result is negative?

A negative test offers an opportunity to counsel a patient about high-risk behaviors and how to reduce personal risk. When results of initial testing are negative, you will need to help the patient understand the concept of possible seroconversion and the need to repeat the HIV test in 3 to 6 months after the presumed exposure to HIV. In most newly infected people, detectable antibodies develop within 2 to 8 weeks of exposure (the average is 25 days). However, antibodies to the virus may not be detectable for up to 6 months in a small subset of the population. It is important to communicate the extreme importance of follow-up testing. Patients who are known to the screening clinician to be at high risk for infection should be aware of the need for ongoing periodic re-testing.

 

Most importantly, patients given a negative HIV test result should be provided prevention counseling including where to obtain additional information about the disease and community resources that may be available to them. Referral to outside sources is recommended if these services are not available within the ordering physician’s setting.

 

 

What to do when the HIV test result is positive?

The reporting of a positive HIV test result to an infected patient is more complex and requires linkage to clinical and counseling services. The clinician must ensure confidentiality and acknowledge the patient’s concerns. Initial counseling by the primary care provider should include how to prevent transmission of HIV to the patient’s partner and guidance on getting the partner tested. The screening physician should also provide initial education on current HIV therapies. Prompt referral should be made to a specialty HIV clinic; recommendations for infectious disease specialists and psychologists or other mental health professionals also are recommended.

 

The primary care provider should encourage the patient to seek support from family members and friends to help manage the anxiety surrounding a positive diagnosis.

 

When working with pregnant women, the HIV test result should also be documented in the medical record of her infant. If the mother's HIV test result is positive, maternal health-care clinicians should notify the pediatric care providers of the impending birth of an HIV exposed infant to anticipate any complications (after obtaining consent from the mother).

 

For patients with limited English proficiency, do not use family or friends as interpreters to disclose test results; even among relatives or other loved ones there is a risk of stigma and discrimination. The Privacy Rule under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 prohibits use or disclosure of a patient's health information, including HIV status, without the patient's permission.

 

What about use of rapid oral HIV testing?

Rapid oral HIV tests can be obtained when results are needed immediately. The results can be delivered at the same clinic visit so use of these tests can help reduce the number of persons who do not receive results (ie, do not follow up). Patients must understand, however, that a negative result indicates the absence of antibody formation to the HIV virus and does not necessarily rule out acquired infection; a follow-up screening should be scheduled. A positive result on a rapid HIV test is considered preliminary and requires confirmation (serum HIV ELISA and Western Blot) before the diagnosis of HIV infection is established. The CDC recommends that patients be counseled on the provisionary status of rapid testing results and urged to take precautions to avoid potential transmission of the virus.

 

If the patient presents with suspected acute HIV syndrome and the serum HIV ELISA is negative, then a RNA test (HIV viral load) can be obtained. The viral load can be detected within 9 to 11 days of exposure.

 

How should results of HIV testing be communicated: On the phone or in a "face-to- face” visit?

The CDC provides clear direction on how test results should be delivered. The best practice is to convey an HIV test result face-to-face. In some areas, however, results both positive and negative are already conveyed by phone. If a one-on-one visit causes undue burden, for example, test results can be discussed by phone. The same counseling, education, and support needs to be offered in this conversation as in a face-to face-visit. The CDC states “Positive test results should always be communicated by personal contact and should never be delivered by mail.” The CDC also recommends that positive results be communicated “…confidentially through personal contact by a clinician, nurse, mid-level practitioner, counselor, or other skilled staff.”

 

State laws govern the policies on HIV reporting, so each provider should be aware of guidelines and requirements in his or her own state. Documentation needs to include test results, counseling that was provided, assessment of the patient's emotional and mental status, and referrals and follow-ups scheduled. If results are provided by phone, be sure to document the details of the conversation and to explain why you conducted the discussion via phone instead of in person.

 

source: http://www.consultantlive.com/hiv-aids/communicating-hiv-test-results-who-what-how