Being Prepared for a result

You may think that you know what your result is going to be, but what if it isn’t what you expected?

If the result is "HIV negative"

Being told that you are HIV negative will probably be a relief.

If you had a test because you had taken a risk with unsafe sex or sharing injecting equipment, then this is probably a good time to consider the things that may have led you to put your self at risk.

There are counselling and support services available at AIDS Councils and sexual health centres if you think that you would like to discuss anything that contributed to behaviour that put you at risk. See the Contacts section of this website for details.

If the result is "HIV positive"

People experience a range of emotions when they find out they are HIV positive. Some people may feel shock, anger, horror or disbelief and others may cope better with the news. All of these reactions are completely normal and it helps to remember that you are NOT going to die tomorrow. Effective treatments mean that HIV infection is now a manageable chronic illness, not a death sentence.

If you do want to tell your partner, friends or family members, think about how they might react. If you are not sure how your partner, friends or family will react to the news, consider talking to a peer support worker at your local AIDS Council, PLWHA organisation, or a counsellor. Click here for our contact list

Following a diagnosis, it’s recommended to make a follow-up appointment to see your doctor in the next few days. You may have more questions or want more information in a week or so. Start making a list of any questions for your doctor.

If you get a positive diagnosis, Next Steps, a booklet for people recently diagnosed with HIV may be helpful. AFAO has produced a number of other resources for people with HIV which you can download at the AFAO website.