HIV test
An HIV test can tell if you have been infected with HIV or not. The test can reliably detect HIV in your blood for 6 weeks after running the risk of infection. If you had symptoms (have a look at: hebikhiv.nl) then it can be important to go to your family doctor or GGD (health municipality) as soon as possible. Ask a health professional if an earlier test is possible in your case.
An HIV test takes place as follows:
- The health professional takes a blood sample and sends it to a lab for testing.
- In the lab they will look for antibodies in your blood.
- The health professional receives the result of the lab test about one week later.
- The health professional explains the result to you and talks with you about the next steps.
Doctor taking a blood sample from a woman.
Talking to a doctor
You can freely talk to your general practitioner or the health professional at the health centre of the asylum seekers’ centre A doctor cannot give any information about you to anybody else. He/she is obliged by law to respect your privacy.
Man talking with a health professional.
What does it cost?
You can get tested for STIs and HIV by your general practitioner or at the municipal public health service (GGD). Are you at high risk of STIs? If you meet certain conditions you can get tested for free at the municipal public health service (GGD) in your area. Young people up to 25 years old, sex workers, men who have sex with men and people from countries where STIs are highly prevalent can make an appointment at the municipal public health service (GGD) and get tested for free.
You can also get tested by your general practitioner. Your consultation with your general practitioner is free but sometimes you have to pay for the test. This depends on your health insurance and the excess of your health insurance (eigen risico). Ask your health insurance provider for more information.
If you live in an asylum seekers’ centre you can visit the health centre there for a free STI test.