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What is VCT?
VCT stands for Voluntary Testing and Counselling. It is about individuals getting to know their HIV status by taking a test. The test will tell you if you are HIV positive or negative. This free and confidential service is offered at your Campus Health Service. VCT is voluntary. No one may force you to take the test and your confidentiality will always be respected.
Who should get tested?
Any student who thinks that she or he might be at risk for HIV should be tested. Unprotected sex with a person with an unknown HIV status, sharing needles in drug use or HIV infected blood getting into your body could be a risk. Sexually active people should have themselves tested on a regular basis as part of a general health plan.
How do you get tested?
At the Campus Health Service HIV testing is available free of charge to all students of the University of Pretoria.
The toll-free National AIDS Helpline can also refer you to a testing site close to you. They can be contacted on 0800 012 322.
What happens during VCT?
Pre-test counselling
All students having an HIV test will receive pre-test counselling. This is a legal and ethical requirement. This will help to prepare you for the result – whether positive or negative. A trained counsellor, also known as a Befriender, will explore with you what HIV is, assess your risk of having the virus and explain to you how the test works. Your reasons for testing will also be explored and the benefits of knowing your status will be explained to you. This will also be your opportunity to ask any questions that you might have. Use this opportunity to talk freely about any of your fears and concerns. The information you get in pre-test counselling also equips you with skills to protect yourself and your partner from future infections.
The test
The Campus Health Service uses a Rapid Test is for HIV. This test requires that a drop of blood (from a finger prick) is tested and the results can be available within 15 minutes, while you wait.
What is the window period?
This is the time between HIV getting into your body and it being detectable by the standard screening test for HIV. On average, the window period is between six to eight weeks, but in rare cases it can be longer. Even when someone is in the window period they are still able to pass the virus on to others.
Post-test counselling
During post-test counselling your results will be given to you by the Befriender. At this stage there are a number of issues that they can help you with:
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If your result is positive: A positive test result means that you have been infected with HIV. The counsellor will help you work through some of your feelings of shock, fear and maybe anger. You will have the opportunity to discuss how to tell your family and your sexual partner(s) when you are ready. You will be encouraged to join a support group to assist you with this and to come to terms with the result. It is also vital that you protect yourself and your partner from further infection and you will receive support for this and other changes and decisions you may need to make.
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As part of the HIV wellness and management programme at UP, you will also be briefed about healthy and positive living. Being HIV positive will require you to make some lifestyle changes to lead a healthy and productive life. You will be encouraged to learn how to keep your immune system healthy by lowering your stress levels, eating and exercising sensibly and building up a good support system. You will also have an assessment by an HIV clinician who will evaluate your immune status through an examination and further blood tests (the CD4 count and a viral load test). This doctor will advise you about your treatment options.
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If you need antiretroviral treatment because your immune system has weakened the HIV Wellness Team will advise you about your treatment options. You will be monitored and supported at Campus Health by a team consisting of the HIV clinician, a nutritionist, a social worker, a nursing sister and your counsellor.
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If your result is negative: A negative result means that you have not been infected with HIV (unless you are currently still in the window period). Even if you test negative it is still crucial to discuss sexual and reproductive health in general, ways of protecting yourself and partner(s) from infections, and whether it is necessary to be retested if you are still in the window period. If you tested with your partner, which we would encourage, it might be possible that you tested negative and your partner positive. You will get support on how this might affect your relationship.
Why is it important to know your status?
As a young person you are in a high-risk age group for HIV. It very important for everybody to know his or her HIV status. Deciding to go for an HIV test is sometimes a very difficult and personal decision. Nobody else can make this decision for you. With the knowledge of your status you can take control of you life and your future.
There are many benefits to knowing your HIV status, but there can be disadvantages as well. It is not always easy to disclose your status as a lot of stigma and discrimination is still associated with HIV and AIDS. It is advisable to discuss these issues with the counsellor before you have the test. Remember: the University’s policy on HIV and AIDS protects you against stigma and discrimination based on your HIV status and guarantees your rights. If you feel that your rights have been infringed in any way please contact the Centre for the Study of AIDS on 420 4391 or the AIDS and Human Rights Research Unit on 420 2374.
If you require any more information on HIV testing please contact the Centre for the Study of AIDS on 420 4391 or the Campus Health Service on 420 2500.
If you would like to find out more about the HIV/AIDS support group run on campus, please call Pierre Brouard on 420 5067.
Remember: if you have tested HIV positive and do not yet need antiretroviral treatment, it is recommended that you consult the HIV wellness and management programme at Campus Health Service.
If you have any feedback/comments about the UP VCT programme please
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