HIV Information
Who should get tested for HIV?
Everyone between the ages of 18 and 64 should get tested for HIV at least once to know their HIV status. However, for a child born from an HIV infected pregnant mother then the child will be tested for HIV using appropriate testing kits within 4-6 weeks or at the earliest possible.
Routine HIV testing is important for those individuals having the following risk behaviours
- Sex without a condom
- Sex with a man who has had sex with another man.
- Sex in exchange for goods or money
- Injecting drugs that were not from a medical professional
- Sex without consent
- Sex with multiple partners
- Shared an injection or syringe with someone
- Consumed alcohol or drugs before sex
- High fun/Chemsex
Why is it important to know your HIV status?
Knowing your HIV status can have two important benefits.
- Firstly, if you learn that you are HIV positive, you can take steps before symptoms appear to access treatment, care and support.
- Secondly, if you know that you are infected, you can take precautions to prevent the spread of HIV to others.
Where you can get HCT services in Bhutan?
The only way to know your HIV status (Positive or Negative) is to get yourself tested from the nearest health centers (Hospitals and PHCs) or Health Information and Service Centers (HISC). Now HIV testing is also available in all the private diagnostic clinics. You can find the list of testing centers from this website.
What are the different HCT services that you can choose in Bhutan?
There are different types of HCT services you can choose to know your HIV status as briefly described below;
Facility-based testing
The HCT services located in the health centers across the country and in the Private Diagnostic Clinics (PDC).
Standalone VCT/HISC centers
The HCT services located in the core urban areas out of hospital settings to reach the unreached key and vulnerable populations through peer outreach activities.
Community-based testing
The HCT services located in the CBOs and NGOs testing centers and are delivered to the identified target populations like MSM, TG, Sex Workers and IDUs either through the center or outreach.
Mobile van testing
This is the onsite HCT services provided to the key and vulnerable populations.
Online web-based testing
This is a new approach of reaching the key and vulnerable populations that are not able to come forward for discussion about HIV testing and other STIs including sex, sexuality and gender in person. You can conduct online risk assessment and book your HIV testing from (www.access2care.bt)
Key points:
Health Information and Service Center (HISC) is a stand-alone HIV and other sexual health service center located away from the hospital setting in the core urban areas (Thimphu, Phuentsholing, Gelephu, S/Jongkhar, Thimphu and Lobesa in Wangdue). The centers is manned by the professional counselors and trained outreach workers from the communities.
What is the HIV Self-Testing (HIVST) in Bhutan?
HIVST is a process in which a person collects their specimen (oral fluid or blood) using a simple rapid HIV test and then performs the test and interprets their results, when and where they want. However, In Bhutan’s context, HIVST result interpretation will always be assisted by the trained HIV Counselors from the HISCs or other health centres with complete assurance of the client’s confidentiality using the appropriate protocol.
You should follow the below testing algorithm if you intend to undergo HIV Self-Testing
If my result is negative does that mean my partner is also HIV negative?
You have to keep in mind the “window period” i.e., the period when a person may be infected with HIV but before antibodies have been found. This period may extend from 3 weeks to 3 months. If you have tested during the window period even though the virus is in your blood you may test negative giving rise to what is called a false-negative result. Therefore, if you have tested early you will need to repeat the HIV test after 3 months. If you are still negative you can then be sure that you are not infected.
If you have a negative test result, does that mean that your partner is HIV-negative also?
No. Your HIV test result reveals only your HIV status.
HIV is not necessarily transmitted every time you have sex. Therefore, taking an HIV test is not a way to find out if your partner is infected.
It’s important to be open with your partner(s) and ask them to tell you their HIV status. But keep in mind that your partner(s) may not know or maybe wrong about their status, and some may not tell you if they have HIV even if they know they’re infected. Consider getting tested together so you can both know your HIV status and take steps to keep yourselves healthy.
What does a positive HIV test result mean to you?
If you have a positive HIV test result, a follow-up test will be conducted. If the follow-up test is also positive, it means you are HIV-positive.
If you had a rapid screening test, the testing site will arrange a follow-up test to make sure the screening test result was correct. If you used a self-testing kit at home, a positive HIV test result must always be confirmed by additional HIV testing performed in a health care setting. If your blood was tested in a health centre, then the health centres will conduct a follow-up test on the same sample.
What should I do if I am diagnosed as HIV infected person?
If your follow-up test result confirms you are infected with HIV, the next thing is to take steps to protect your health and prevent further transmission to others. The most important step is to listen to your HIV/AIDS counsellors for following care and treatment. ART is the use of HIV medicines to treat HIV infection. People on ART take a combination of HIV medicines every day. ART can keep you healthy for many years and greatly reduces your chance of transmitting HIV to your sex partner(s) if taken the right way, every day. Your health care provider will help you decide what HIV medicines to take. The ART medication is free and can be provided by all the hospitals.
What consequences I will face when I am diagnosed with HIV?
Being diagnosed as HIV positive can be a life-changing event but one should not get worried because of the availability of high-quality medication and competent caregivers.
You should also remember that you will feel many emotions—sadness, hopelessness, and even anger but it’s normal for anyone facing any kind of unpleasant situation, which is not the end of your life!
Will, there be someone to assist me if I am diagnosed with HIV?
Do not forget that there will be someone to help you in such a difficult time but you should trust them and listen to their advice. All information you share and discuss will be kept confidential. The HIV/AIDS Counselors commonly called VCT/HISC Counselors in Bhutan are the first person that you will come across if you are diagnosed with HIV and they will provide you with the required care, support and then initiate your ART treatment with the help of the concerned medical doctors.
You can also make a plan to meet other people diagnosed with HIV and who have already revealed their HIV status who are stationed in Lhaksam and HISCs because it’s very helpful to learn about how other people living with HIV have handled their diagnosis and to cope up with life.
If you test positive for HIV, does that mean you have AIDS?
No. Testing positive for HIV does not mean you have AIDS. AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV disease. HIV can lead to AIDS if not treated.
Key points
| Test results | Meaning of test result |
|---|---|
| Negative Results | HIV antibodies were not detected in the person’s sample, either because the person is not infected or because the person is still in the window period. |
| Positive Results | Antibodies to HIV were detected in the person’s blood. It means the person is infected with HIV and he or she can transmit the virus to others if he or she engages in risky behaviors. It does not necessarily mean that the person has AIDS. |
| Indeterminate Results | The presence or absence of HIV antibodies could not be confirmed. This could be because the person is in the process of seroconverting; the person may have a prior medical condition that is affecting the test. In this case, the person is always asked to come back after six weeks for retesting. |
How is the confidentiality of HIV Testing and Counseling maintained?
All health centres including the private diagnostic clinics are mandated to practice a high level of confidentiality. Any breach of confidentiality is dealt with accordingly with the Bhutan Medical and Health Council Act 2002.
