Gannett Health Services
Ho Plaza
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853-3101
Tel: 607 255-5155
Email: gannett@cornell.edu
HIV antibody testing is used to diagnose HIV infection. Antibodies to the virus are detectable within 1-3 months of acquiring HIV, which is when the tests become reliable.
Gannett offers two types of confidential HIV tests: blood testing (blood draw) and
OraSure (oral swab). Blood testing costs $25 and Orasure (oral swab) is $45.
The charges for HIV antibody tests can be paid with cash, check, most credit cards or bursared. Financial concerns should never be a barrier to getting the healthcare or tests that you need. If the cost of an HIV antibody test at Gannett poses a financial hardship or obstacle, please talk with one of our Patient Advocates.
All patients who come to Gannett can ask for an HIV test at the time of a visit. When you call to make your appointment, tell them you will also want an HIV test during your time at Gannett.
STAP is located at 501 S. Meadow St.(across from Wegmans). Call STAP for information: 607.272.4098
Confidential vs anonymous testing
The following are known risk factors for HIV infection. If you or any sex or needle-sharing partners answer "yes" to any of these questions, you should consider testing for HIV.
Many people seek tests for HIV and other sexually transmissible infections (STIs) before starting a new relationship. Since many infections are often present without apparent symptoms, negative tests can be very reassuring. It is of course, also important to have frank and honest conversations with a prospective partner so that both people can make accurate assessments of the degree and timing of past risks. Remember that correct and consistent use of latex or polyurethane condoms (with adequate lubrication) usually protects against many though not all STIs.
Some people avoid testing because of fear that the test might be positive. Most of those people are immensely relieved to discover that they are not infected. Those who do test positive usually find it's better to know: there are now a variety of early treatment options that postpone the onset of illness indefinitely.
Anyone who worries about possible past risks of exposure to HIV can relieve her/his mind by seeing a counselor who can help assess risks and give detailed information about testing options. A counseling appointment does NOT commit you to being tested; a counselor can help you figure out when and whether you might benefit from a test. Students, staff or faculty can make an appointment to talk to one of Gannett's Clinical Counselors. Call 255-5155. Students can also discuss concerns with their clinician during an appointment at Gannett.
One vial of blood will be drawn from the arm (usually about 2 teaspoons) to test for HIV antibodies.
Antibodies to HIV are drawn from the oral mucosa by swabbing the mouth. No needles or blood is involved. It's accuracy is 99.96%.
Two different tests may be conducted. The ELISA (Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay) is a highly sensitive test and is the first test performed on a sample. A negative ELISA performed 3 months after the last possible risk of acquiring HIV is more than 99% reliable. Only when the ELISA is positive is it necessary to follow up with a confirmatory test called the "Western Blot". The Western Blot is a highly specific test which has virtually eliminated the risk of a false positive result.
Confidential testing means that your provider keeps your test information in your confidential medical record. With your written authorization test results can be released to meet travel, employment or insurance requirements. Gannett offers confidential testing only.
Many private physicians in the community offer confidential testing as well.
Anonymous testing means that your name is not recorded and no personal identifiers
are used. You will be given a code number which is sent to the lab with your test
sample. You must present in person to obtain your test result. The only people
who learn that you have been tested or find out your test result are those you
tell yourself. Since
The Tompkins County Health Department offers free, anonymous rapid HIV testing with results available in 20 minutes. Call 607-274-6683 for an appointment or more information.
For testing appointments elsewhere, call the CDC National AIDS Hotline (800 342-AIDS). Ask about confidential/anonymous options, which vary from state to state.
According to New York State law, test results must be given in person. This provides an opportunity to get more information about HIV and get your questions answered. Knowing one's test results means not only being able to protect oneself and future partners from infection, but also to avoid passing the virus to one's children. Pregnant women who seek treatment for HIV infection significantly reduce the risk that a child will be born infected with HIV.
Waiting the 1-2 weeks required for the return of test results can create anxiety and tension for some people. If you need emotional support, there are many options:
It is important that, until you return for your result, you act as if you were infected and could transmit the virus. In other words, don't have unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and don't share needles until you are aware of your HIV status.
Since June 1, 2000 , New York State Public Health Law (Article 27F) requires that names, addresses and birth dates of those who test positive for HIV, and whenever possible, identifying information for their sex and needle-sharing partners, be reported to the Health Department. The stated purpose of these requirements is to insure that those who need testing and treatment for HIV infection have access to what they need. Increasingly sophisticated treatment options have significantly improved both quality of life and life expectancy for HIV infected people. There are no penalties against people who have been tested anonymously and who choose not to identify themselves to the test provider, but when an HIV positive person seeks medical treatment, identifying information must be forwarded to the Health Department. Nor are there penalties for choosing not to give partner identifying information.
An HIV positive person can choose to tell partners himself/herself, or enlist the free assistance of the Health Department's Partner Notification Assistance Program (PNAP) which can notify partners at risk without identifying the person who has tested positive, or collaborate with the HIV positive individual in making sure that partners have access to testing and treatment programs.
If you have any questions about this information or about anything else related
to HIV/AIDS, call:
Emergencies
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