However, your status may become known if you sign a release form to have your personal physician notified. Once this information becomes part of your medical record, even a student's medical record at a college or university, it may be seen by health care workers, insurers or employers. Your status also may become known if you make a claim for health insurance benefits or apply for life insurance or disability insurance. Anonymous HIV Testing means that no name is ever given to the testing center and only the person who is having the test is aware of the results. Anonymous testing is available in 40 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico as of May 1997.
State laws are, however, subject to change.
Antibody blood tests are used to detect HIV antibodies in the bloodstream. A second test, referred to as the Western Blot test, is run to confirm a positive result. Results are accessed by an anonymous identification number and are given over the telephone several days later. Home Testing Kits are sold in drugstores and health clinics throughout the country and are available by mail. Western Blot tests are alternatives to blood tests.