Harvard University Health Services

HIV Testing Services

HIV Antibody Testing at HUHS:
HUHS offers both confidential and anonymous testing. We test for HIV antibodies, not for the virus itself. The time it takes for a person to develop antibodies for HIV in the blood is called the window period. Getting tested during the window period might yield inaccurate results. The window period varies from person to person. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health considers the test highly reliable at 6 weeks from the initial infection. The CDC recommendation is 3 months and most other states recommend 3-6 months.

Confidential Testing:
Confidential HIV testing is routinely performed by your HUHS primary care clinician, often in addition with an overall assessment for other sexually transmitted infections. This is done through a simple blood test. It requires two appointments, usually one week apart. This test is covered under your health plan. The results are recorded in your medical record but the release of HIV test results requires your additional written authorization. Some insurance companies, potential employers or the military may require the release of HIV antibody testing information and results.

Anonymous Testing Service:
Anonymous HIV counseling and testing is available at HUHS at Holyoke Center through a specially trained HIV counselor. Appointments are set up through the Surgical Specialties Department (617.495.2139). You do not give your name or any identifying information. You are identified solely by a code number. The results are NOT recorded in your medical record and you cannot keep a copy of your test result. There is a $10 student fee for this service, but no Harvard student will be turned away due to inability to pay. Staff, faculty, and other Harvard affiliates pay $85 for anonymous HIV testing. Other people are not allowed in the room with you and you will need to return here for your results. You will never be given your results over the phone, by mail or through email.

HIV Counselors use an oral test to detect HIV. It’s a chemically treated cotton pad that goes between the gum and cheek for about 3 minutes. The pad collects tissue fluid that would contain HIV-antibodies if the person has HIV. The oral test is less invasive than the blood test and has been in use and approved by the Food and Drug Administration since 1995. HUHS has offered the oral test since 2001. Like the blood test it is nearly 100% reliable in detecting HIV antibodies in people who have been infected for 6 weeks or more. With the oral test there is a slightly higher rate of indeterminate test results due primarily to human error in specimen collection. The Oral test is not FDA-approved for detecting HIV-2, which is a type of HIV found primarily in Sub-Saharan West Africa and some Portuguese-speaking countries (not including Brazil). People with risk for HIV-2 should be screened specifically for HIV-2 using a blood sample.

Test Results:
If you test comes back negative, no HIV antibodies were found. It is important to look at your risks, life style and steps you can take to reduce your changes of getting HIV. HIV antibodies can take up to 6 weeks to show in the blood so if you are being tested during that time, you should probably get tested again later to be sure. If your test comes back indeterminate in the anonymous testing, we recommend that you schedule an appointment with your HUHS clinician and have a follow-up blood test. Indeterminate test results can happen for a number of reasons. It may be human error, a faulty test kit, another underlying auto-immune condition, or that the person is in the window period. If your test comes back positive through the Anonymous Testing, the HIV counselor will discuss your options for care and resources, as well as suggest an HIV blood test. With positive results, we recommend you see your HUHS clinician to discuss your care and management options. There are many new treatments available to help you manage HIV disease.

Life-threatening emergencies: call 911 or 9 911 (from campus)  |   Urgent care at HUHS: 617.495.5711

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Disclaimer: The information provided on our website is not intended to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. It is meant to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between an individual and his/her clinician.