PRE-TEST COUNSELLING
During pre-test counseling, a trained counselor will chat with you to prepare you for the test. The counselor will give you all the information you need about HIV/AIDS and discuss the possible results. It is completely up to you whether or not you go through with the test once the pre-test counseling is concluded. You are welcome to come for pre-test counseling as many times as you feel necessary. Pre-test counseling is there to give you support throughout the testing process. Nobody will judge you for the choices that you have made or tell you what to do with your life.
The counseling is there to make things easier for you!
THE TEST
There are several types of HIV tests, some are done in a laboratory, and it may take a week or two before results are available, some are rapid and take only a few minutes. For VCT at Wits, we use rapid HIV tests. These tests are very reliable and endorsed by the Department of Health and The World Health Organisation.
The test will be done by a professional nurse. It involves a small finger prick to obtain a sample of blood is then tested and the results are made available immediately.
No HIV test results will be given over the telephone or to a second party. Should you and your partner want to be tested to know each other’s status, each of you will undergo VCT individually, and then a couple’s sessions can be conducted so that you can discuss your results as a couple with a counselor.
POST-TEST COUNSELLING
Once the results are available the counsellor will tell you your HIV status. If it is positive the counselor will help you work through some of the possible feelings of distress, fear, or anger. You will then be referred to a primary health care nurse for a check-up where further blood tests will be done. You will then be referred to an ARV service provider in the community.
You will also have the option of consulting with a professional counselor at CCDU for support counseling.
If the results are negative the counselor will talk to you about any further testing that needs to be done because of the window period. This period may be up to 3 months long during which a negative test conceals a positive status. You will also have a chance to discuss how to protect yourself in the future
VCT is offered at the Campus Health and Wellness Centre. Monday to Friday from 08h00 till 15h00. You will need to book an appointment on the booking system on the CHWC Webpage. VCT is also available at the WITS Education Campus Wednesday and Thursdays from 13h00-16h00.
Please remember that the free VCT service at WITS is reserved for registered students only.
VCT is about discussion, preparation, and testing for HIV/AIDS. The test is voluntary, which means that it is up to you whether you want to be tested or not. Counselling means that a trained counsellor will discuss issues around HIV and testing with you.
The test will determine whether or not you are infected with the HIV virus. The whole process is confidential.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING VCT?
There are three stages in the VCT process, pre-test counselling. The whole process from pre-test counselling to post-testing counselling will take about half an hour.
IF THE TEST IS NAGATIVE:
- You will be very relived to know that you are not infected.
- You can start taking serious steps to protect yourself such as using a condom every time you have sex.
- You can tell your partner your negative status and suggest that they test as well.
IF THE TEST IS POSITIVE:
- The earliest you know your HIV status the better.
- If you know you are positive you will be able to prolong your life.
- You can live positively with HIV by taking good care of your health and lifestyle.
- You will be able to make better decisions about your future.
- You will be able to make decisions that will prevent your partner from becoming infected if they test negative at this time.
- If you are pregnant, you may be able to prevent your child from being infected with HIV.
