HIV test
An HIV testHIV testTest to check whether you have HIV. Without the test, you cannot be…Read more can tell if you have been infected with HIVHIVA virus (human immunodeficiency virus) that affects the natural immune system. When someone…Read more or not. The test can reliably detect HIV in your bloodBloodRed fluid that has important functions in the body, for example: carrying oxygen…Read more for 6 weeks after running the risk of infection. If you had symptoms (have a look at: soatestwijzer.nl) then it can be important to go to your family doctorDoctorSomeone who is trained to cure sick people. Doctors can prescribe medicines. A…Read more or GGD (healthHealthFeeling physically, mentally and socially well in your environment. Health is more than…Read more municipality) as soon as possible. Ask a health professional if an earlier test is possible in your case.
An HIV test takes place as follows:
- The health professional takes a blood sample and sends it to a lab for testing.
- In the lab they will look for antibodies in your blood.
- The health professional receives the result of the lab test about one week later.
- The health professional explains the result to you and talks with you about the next steps.
Doctor taking a blood sample from a woman.
Talking to a doctor
You can freely talk to your general practitioner or the health professional at the health centre of the asylum seekers’ centre A doctor cannot give any information about you to anybody else. He/she is obliged by law to respectRespectFeeling of appreciation for a person. If you respect another person, you think…Read more your privacyPrivacyRight to give information to someone without this person passing on this information…Read more.
Man talking with a health professional.
What does it cost?
You can get tested for STIs and HIV by your general practitioner or at the municipal public health serviceMunicipal public health serviceThe Dutch abbreviation GGD stands for Municipal or Collective Health Service. The Netherlands…Read more (GGD). Are you at high riskRiskPossibility that something unpleasant may happen, for example a disease.Read more of STIs? If you meet certain conditions you can get tested for free at the municipal public health service (GGD) in your area. Young people up to 25 years old, sexSexAll acts that can sexually arouse you. Sex is more than sexual intercourse.…Read more workers, men who have sexSexAll acts that can sexually arouse you. Sex is more than sexual intercourse.…Read more with men and people from countries where STIs are highly prevalent can make an appointment at the municipal public health service (GGD) and get tested for free.
You can also get tested by your general practitioner. Your consultation with your general practitioner is free but sometimes you have to pay for the test. This depends on your health insurance and the excessExcessThe excess (eigen risico) is the amount you have to pay yourself if…Read more of your health insurance (eigen risico). Ask your health insurance provider for more information.
If you live in an asylum seekers’ centre you can visit the health centre there for a free STISTISTI means sexually transmitted infection: an infection that is usually only transmitted by…Read more test.