Why don’t standard HIV tests look for actual HIV?

Standard HIV tests that look for antibodies are quick, reliable and affordable. Tests that look for the virus are expensive and not commonly used for an initial diagnosis.

What is “opt-out” testing for HIV?

“Opt-out” testing for HIV means that HIV tests may be done routinely unless a patient refuses to have the testing done.

For more information on the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) recommendations for HIV testing in the U.S., please visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5514a1.htm.

For (U.S.) state-specific information, please visit:
http://www.nccc.ucsf.edu/consultation_library/state_hiv_testing_laws/

For other information about HIV testing guidelines in your country, please visit:
http://www.who.int/hiv/pub/national_guidelines/en/.  

What does “opt-out” testing mean for me?

You should tell your healthcare provider about your HIV vaccine study participation and refuse HIV testing.  Even if your healthcare provider does not mention the HIV test, be sure to tell them that you do not want an HIV test because you are (or were) an HIV vaccine study participant.

How can I explain this situation to my healthcare provider?

No one can force you to have an HIV test for any reason. 

• If anyone asks to test you for HIV or to draw your blood, tell them you are in (or have been in) an HIV vaccine study and that you need to get all your HIV tests at the study site.
• Explain that being tested outside of your study site or the HVTN VISP Testing Service could result in an incorrect diagnosis of HIV infection.
• Give the provider your study coordinator’s contact information. Ask the provider to call the study site or the HVTN VISP Testing Service directly — U.S. toll free at 1.800.327.2932.
• If you have to, simply say “no” to the HIV test, and then ask the study site or the HIV Vaccine Trials Network to help. We are happy to work with you to resolve your situation.

How long does VISP last?

If you have tested VISP, the antibodies may fade quickly or they may last for several years. In some cases, participants continue to test VISP for more than 20 years.

Can VISP be passed from one person to another?

• In most cases, no. If you have tested VISP you cannot pass the antibodies to another person by kissing or through sexual contact.
• If you are pregnant, we think there may be a chance that you could pass the vaccine antibodies to your baby. Although this has not been shown to happen with HIV study vaccines, we know that this happens with other vaccines, like the tetanus vaccine.  Vaccine antibodies that mothers pass to their babies are temporary and go away over time, and they are not harmful to the baby.  The HVTN can arrange for you and your baby to have accurate HIV testing for free for as long as it is needed.
• In order to donate blood or organs, the donation site will screen you using an HIV antibody test.  If you test positive for HIV antibodies you may be unable to donate an organ. You may also be permanently banned from blood donation even though you are not infected with HIV. 

How will a VISP test result affect me?

• If someone believes you have HIV, you could face discrimination and/or other problems. For example, you could have problems with medical or dental care, employment, insurance, a visa for traveling, or entry into the military. You might not be allowed to donate blood or other organs.  If you are pregnant, you may have to explain your situation to avoid receiving any HIV treatment during your pregnancy or labor/delivery.
  
  
• If you are planning to apply for insurance, employment, or the military, please inform your study site right away. The insurance company, employer, or military agency may not accept HIV test results from the HVTN. However, the HVTN can work with them to ensure the right test is done that will show your true HIV status.

What happens if I move far away from the study site where I participated in an HIV vaccine study?

For U.S. participants, call the HVTN VISP Testing Service at 1.800.327.2932 during business hours, Pacific Time.  For participants outside the U.S., call your study site and they can assist you with testing for HIV.  If you are unable to reach someone at your study site, send an email to  vtn.core.vispcounselor@hvtn.org to request testing.

The HVTN VISP Testing Service provides HIV testing for participants who have received a study HIV vaccine in a National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Division of AIDS (DAIDS)-funded HIV preventive vaccine trial and who are no longer able to be tested at their study site.  

Will my information be confidential?

Yes. All of your information will be stored in a limited-access, password-protected, secure computer database.  Access to your information will be limited to the HVTN VISP counselors.   No identifying information concerning the testing will be released to any third party without your written approval, except when required by law.

How long does the HVTN VISP Testing Service take to provide test results? 

Approximately 2 weeks. 

Am I eligible for the HVTN VISP Testing Service?

Yes:

• If you participated in an HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN), AIDS Vaccine Evaluation Group (AVEG), or HIV Network for Prevention Trials (HIVNET) HIV preventive vaccine study, AND
• If you received an HIV vaccine, AND
• You are willing to provide consent to have your blood drawn and for HIV testing.

If you are not sure if you received an HIV vaccine, call the HVTN VISP Testing Service 1.800.327.2932.

No:

• If you have a confirmed HIV infection, OR
• If you are currently enrolled in an HIV Vaccine Trial, OR
• As a former study participant, you received a placebo.

If you are currently enrolled in an HIV vaccine trial, your testing is provided by your trial site.  If for some reason you are unable to be tested at your site, you can contact your study site or the HVTN VISP Testing Service  at US toll free: 1.800.327.2932.