Point of Care HIV Testing
The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care has established a new Point of Care (POC) HIV Testing Program in Ontario. This test, sometimes called a “rapid” test, gives you your HIV test results within 60 seconds of the testing.
The Point of Care (POC) test uses a drop of blood to find out if you have developed antibodies to HIV. The entire POC test takes about 20 to 30 minutes and includes pre-test counseling, test administration, and post-test counseling.
The POC test is as accurate as the HIV screening tests now used in laboratory HIV testing in Ontario. If the POC test is non reactive, the client is considered negative - unless they are within three months after an HIV exposure. A reactive POC result means you may be infected with the HIV virus, and must be tested again using standard HIV testing. This is done with a usual blood sample.
The POC testing reduces the time to get results from about two weeks to one day, for a negative test result. This reduces your anxiety and promotes earlier knowledge of your HIV status.
The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care wants to make it easier to get HIV testing through the anonymous and POC testing. These tests, as well as the standard HIV testing, are available by appointment.
You can call the health unit for an appointment or for more information at 474-1400, ext. 2289, or visit www.healthunit.biz.
Reference: AIDS Bureau, MOHLTC, Point of Care Testing Programs
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