What is the difference between confidential and anonymous HIV testing?
Both are completely private. No one will know about your test, including your parents, the University, the INS, your insurance company, or your employer. In a confidential HIV test, your name appears on the results. It is treated like other health care services, and has the same high level of privacy and confidentiality. A confidential test has a certain legitimacy that an anonymous test does not have. It can be used, if needed, to verify one’s HIV status. An anonymous test is given through a code system that ensures anonymity and confidentiality. A code is used rather than your name. You receive a copy of the report for your own use, but only the code identifies the report as yours. The report DOES NOT go into a medical record. This method of testing ensures the highest level of privacy. If you do test positive in an anonymous screening, however, you will be encouraged to get a confidential test so you can access medical care and other services.
