What is HIV?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is a retrovirus, which means that it can enter the body’s own cells and become part of those cells. 

When a person has HIV, the body tries to fight the virus by making antibodies. An HIV test is done to look for these antibodies. It can take days to weeks for the body to make antibodies. You are “HIV-positive” if antibodies are found. If you test positive for HIV, you will always test positive. 

While HIV is a lifelong condition, it can be managed so that you can live a long and healthy life. This requires you to take medicine every day and see your doctor on a routine basis. 

In time, HIV weakens the immune system in most people. This leaves you more likely to develop infection and disease than a person without HIV.

What is AIDS? 

AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. When a person has AIDS, the immune system has been harmed by HIV. AIDS is diagnosed based on the state of a person’s health. It is not the same as having HIV. It can take years for AIDS to develop, and a small number of people never develop AIDS. 

How is HIV spread?

HIV can occur when:

  1. A person is exposed to certain body fluids of someone who has HIV.

  2. The amount of HIV in a person’s body fluids is enough to spread it to another person. 

  3. HIV gets into the bloodstream of the person who is exposed to the fluids.

 Body Fluids That Carry HIV

  • Blood 

  • Semen 

  • Breast milk 

  • Vaginal fluids 

If these fluids get into your blood, they can increase your risk of getting HIV. Risk factors include:

  • Sharing needles or injection supplies that contain blood.

  • Anal or vaginal sex without using a barrier (i.e. condom). Note: Anal or vaginal intercourse has a higher risk of HIV than oral sex. This is due to small tears that occur in these areas. The tissue of the vagina and cervix is more easily infected than other skin tissues as well.

  • Oral sex without the use of a barrier (i.e. condom, dental dam).

  • Blood or blood product transfusion that has the HIV virus. Note: Blood products in the U.S. are the safest they have been. Blood donors are carefully screened. Donated blood goes through many tests to make sure it is safe.

  • A female who has HIV when pregnant, during birth, or nursing an infant.

How can I lower the risk of getting/spreading HIV?

  1. Use protection during sex. This includes condoms, female condoms, and dental dams. 

  2. If you inject drugs, use clean needles and works. Do not share needles or works with anyone else. 

  3. If you are pregnant and have HIV, you can take medicine during pregnancy and birth. Bottle feed your infant. The HIV virus is found in breast milk.

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP) is medicine used if you are at high risk for HIV. You must take this medicine every day to lower your chances of getting HIV. When used right, PrEP lowers your risk of getting HIV from sex by more than 90%. If you inject drugs, it lowers your risk by more than 70%. When PrEP is used with protection, the risk of HIV from sex can be lowered as well. 

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

Post-Exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is when you take anti-retroviral medicines (ART) after you may have been exposed to HIV. This helps prevent you from getting infected. PEP is used in emergency situations. It must be started within 72 hours of exposure. If you think you’ve been exposed to HIV, seek medical care right away and ask about PEP.

Common Myths

Myth: You can get HIV if you share toilets and shake hands. 

Truth: It is safe to share public toilets and shake hands. 

Myth: You can get HIV from kissing. 

Truth: Kissing is safe. The levels of HIV in saliva is low.

Myth: Mosquitoes can spread HIV. 

Truth: HIV isn't spread by mosquitoes. 

Who should get tested for HIV?

The CDC recommends a screening test for patients in all health care settings. People at high risk for HIV infection should be screened at least once a year. It is important to know if you have HIV so that you can be treated before your immune system is harmed.

Testing should be done for anyone who may have been exposed to HIV. If there is a chance you were exposed to HIV just before the test, your body might not have started to make antibodies. You may need repeat tests in 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months, even if the first test is negative.

Pregnant women should be tested to prevent the spread of the virus to the baby during pregnancy and birth. It is easy and safe to protect the baby from HIV by taking medicines.

Can I refuse an HIV test?

It is your choice to have an HIV test. You have a right to refuse. Health care and treatment can’t be denied because you refuse to have an HIV test.

Where can I get tested for HIV? 

There are anonymous HIV tests and confidential HIV tests.

 An anonymous HIV test is done at a testing site. It does not use your name. The test result does not go into your medical record. For a list of these sites, call the Wisconsin AIDS Hotline (see the last page). 

A confidential HIV test is done in a doctor’s office. It does record your name. This means that only certain people have access to the test result. Your health insurance company may be able to see this information, which can affect future coverage. These test results do go into your medical record. 

What is a rapid HIV test?

The UW Health Emergency Department (ED) uses rapid HIV tests to screen for HIV based on your symptoms or if you have been in a situation where you may have been exposed to HIV. Rapid tests use blood or oral fluids to look for HIV antibodies. Results of a rapid test are often ready in an hour and given to you while still in the ED.

What does it mean if the rapid HIV test is non-reactive?

If a rapid test is non-reactive, it means that the test has not found HIV antibodies. Most of the time, this means that you have not been infected with HIV. If there is a chance you were exposed to HIV just before the test, the body might not have started making antibodies yet. In this case, a repeat test about 3 months after the first test is advised. 

What does it mean if the rapid test is reactive?

If a rapid test is reactive, it means that the test has found HIV antibodies. While this test is very accurate, we suggest that all patients with a reactive rapid test have a follow-up test to confirm and make a diagnosis. A person is not “HIV-positive” unless both a rapid test and a follow-up test are positive. 

What happens after a reactive rapid HIV test in the UW ED or a positive HIV test somewhere else?

A reactive rapid test result requires follow-up with an HIV/AIDS expert. The doctor will monitor the status of your immune system and the virus. 

If you get a reactive rapid test result in the UW Health ED, ask the staff to call the UW Health Linkage to Care Social Worker for immediate help. You can also call the UW Health HIV Program/Infectious Disease Clinic at 608-263-0946 and ask to speak with a social worker to set up a visit. The clinic is open Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

A visit will be scheduled within 1-2 business days after you call the clinic. This visit is set up whether or not you have insurance or if you are able to pay. At the first visit, you will meet with a doctor and get the follow-up test result. If a diagnosis of HIV is made, more blood tests will be ordered to check your immune system. A social worker will be available to talk through any questions or concerns you may have.

It is important that if you test positive for HIV, you see a doctor who is an HIV/AIDS expert as soon as possible. There are medicines to preserve the immune system, control the virus, and reduce the chance of spreading the virus. It is helpful to form a good relationship with an HIV expert, so the best choice can be made about treatment.

Who can see the results of my HIV test? State law permits a limited number of people to know if someone has a HIV infection. Positive test results are shared with public health officials. Strict laws protect confidential information on HIV.

Other Resources

UW Health HIV/AIDS Comprehensive Care Program (Infectious Disease Clinic)



They offer affordable, accessible and confidential medical and social services for people living with HIV regardless of insurance or ability to pay. They also offer Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV.

AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW)



They provide HIV testing, HIV treatment, PrEP, prevention services, case management, legal services, support groups, food pantry, dental, and other services.

Wisconsin HIV/STD/HCV Information and Referral Line



They provide information on the prevention, transmission, and treatment of HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases (STD), and hepatitis.

Public Health Madison & Dane County 



They provide confidential, free or low cost testing for HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and hepatitis C. They also offer treatment for STIs.

Wisconsin HIV Program   



They coordinate the public health response to HIV/AIDS. They provide HIV-related information, service agencies, service providers, and more. 

OraQuick® In-Home HIV Test


This HIV test kit lets people test at home by using an oral swab and testing solution. Results can be read in 20 to 40 minutes. It is Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and available in many major pharmacies, retailers and online.