Does liquor affect test results?

Dear LVCT,

I am a college student and I’ve have had one too many in the past and ended up messing with a random girl. I’m worried I might have been infected. Does alcohol affect the HIV test results?

Nicko

Dear Nicko,

Thank you Nicko for being bold enough to seek help. We will help you through this confusing moment. Nicko, alcohol does not in any way affect the HIV results. If you visit a testing centre and you are drunk, your test results will still remain the same. However, it’s important to visit a testing centre while you are sober. This will allow you to have a discussion with the counsellors especially on reducing risky behaviours that might put you at a higher risk of getting infected.

Alcohol or any other drugs for that matter before or during sexual activity greatly increase the chance that someone will not practice safe sex. You may have more fun while you’re partying and this may reduce your ability to make informed decisions. Alcohol affects the way you think. It is possible to find yourself engaging in sexual activities with strangers, which is a high-risk activity. High-risk activity is having sex with a person whose HIV status you don’t know. It is important to ensure that whatever amount of alcohol you take, you have the capacity to make rational decisions.

For now, taking a HIV test is the only way you will get to know whether you got infected or not. Meanwhile, you can take up preventive measures either by abstaining from sex or correctly and consistently using a condom at every sexual encounter.

Take courage, visit a VCT centre and get to know your status!

Dear LVCT,

I fear being tested for HIV because I fear I could be infected. Can I get the test kit and test myself?

Tom

Tom, you want to be tested but you have fear of the unknown. Even if you test yourself or you are tested at the VCT or a hospital facility, the result will not change. The important thing to note is that you do not know your status and you want to know it. When you are tested at a VCT centre, there is an opportunity to be counselled. Incase you have fears and concerns; they will be addressed by an experienced professional counsellor. You will also be referred to other services that you may need depending on the outcome of the results.

Our suggestion will be to visit a VCT centre for testing and counselling.