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Pre-
and Post-Test Information & Counselling
For some people, getting an HIV test
can be daunting, scary and even confusing. For this reason pre-
and post-test counselling/discussion should be done as part
of getting tested for HIV. You should also be provided with
information about the meaning of a test and how best to protect
yourself from risk of HIV in the future. In some states (for
example Tasmania) pre- and post-test counselling/discussion
is a legal requirement and must occur.
Having pre- and post-test counselling/discussion is considered
best practice for undertaking a test and receiving the results,
and can often reduce the stress involved with HIV testing.
Seeing a GP or healthcare worker you know for an HIV test can
also be embarrassing for some people. Discussing sex or drug
use is a very personal topic for many people. Some people getting
tested also feel that they may be judged because they are gay
or because they have had unprotected sex or injected drugs.
Sexual health clinics may be an alternative place to get tested
if you do not want to talk to your usual doctor.
A pre-test discussion will generally involve being told what
is involved in getting a test, some basic HIV information, information
about confidentiality, and an assessment of risk (i.e. if there
has never been any risk then a test will not be recommended).
An effective pre-test counselling session should also explore
what each result means and how that will affect you.
In most cases an HIV test is voluntary, so if, after the pre-test
discussion is complete, you don’t want to have a test,
then it is your choice not to.
A post-test counselling session is when you will be given your
results. In most cases, regardless of the result, you should
receive the result in person, and not over the phone. Information,
support and referral will be offered during post-test counselling
regardless of the result of the test.
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