The HIV test – often called AIDS test – is performed on blood and looks for HIV antibodies and antigens or just for the antibodies. The antigen is a HI-Virus component, while HIV antibodies are produced by the immune system after you’ve been exposed to HIV.

The HIV test is not an integral part of routine health care at your family doctor. HIV is not detected in a general blood test.

According to law the HIV test may only be performed if you opt in.

The time between the exposure to HIV and the detectability of HIV antibodies in the blood varies in humans and depends on the type of test used to detect HIV (laboratory-based diagnostic or rapid test): 6 weeks for laboratory diagnostic and 12 weeks for rapid testing.

Which test is recommended for you will be explained during the counseling. If you have questions about transmission risks, how to protect yourself etc., we will be glad to talk about. Counseling and HIV testing are anonymous, confidential and free of charge.

Nowadays an HIV infection is highly treatable in case you’re diagnosed in good time. Therefore it’s important to get tested for HIV early.

The syphilis test is performed on blood and looks for syphilis antibodies. These antibodies are produced by the human immune system against the syphilis pathogen.

Please consider that syphilis cannot be detected in the blood earlier than two/three weeks after you got infected and it takes twelve weeks after your last high-risk contact until a syphilis can reliably be excluded.

A syphilis test may only be performed with the consent of the patient. After the counseling a blood sample will be taken from your vein – fasting is not required. It will take a maximum of a week before you receive the result of your test. It will be shown to you in a second personal contact at your public health department.

The test is free of charge, anonymous and confidential.

Chlamydia can be transmitted via oral, vaginal and anal sex. The test is performed on urine and/or swabs.

A chlamydia infection can be earliest detected two or three weeks after the last high-risk contact.

It will take a maximum of a week before you receive the result of your test.

Gonorrhea can be transmitted via oral, vaginal and anal sex. The test is performed and/or swabs.

Gonorrhea can be earliest detected one to three weeks after the last high-risk contact.

It will take a maximum of a week before you receive the result of your test.

PEP is suitable for a person who is HIV-negative – means not infected with HIV – and has had a clearly defined high-risk contact. You’ll be on antiretroviral medication (medicines against HIV) for four weeks. The medication will most likely prevent becoming infected.

PEP must be started as soon as possible after a recent potential exposure to HIV. Preferably you start PEP within the first two hours after you’ve been exposed to HIV. If not possible PEP should get started during the first 24 hours but not later than 48 hours after the exposure. It’s questionable if PEP is still effective when started up to 72 hours after the exposure

• A medical consultation is necessary before you take PEP.
• PEP can only prevent an HIV infection – it does not protect
  against any other sexually transmitted infection.
• PEP should be started as soon as possible after a recent high-risk contact.
• PEP medication has to be taken for four weeks.
• As follow up you need to get tested for HIV six and twelve weeks after PEP is finished.

Emergency rooms (ER) or outpatient departments (OPD) of certain hospitals provide PEP day and night – for contact information look here. At daytime PEP is also available at medical practices specialized on HIV.

PEP is strictly used in emergency situations. A medical consultation will clarify if PEP is necessary and the medication has to be prescribed by the doctor. Health insurances will pay the costs only at high risk of HIV transmission.

AIDS/STI Counseling Centers of public health departments in NRW provide anonymous, confidential and free counseling.