What is the requirement for post-test counseling?
A person who tests HIV positive must be provided directly by the person ordering the test (or through a representative) counseling or referrals for counseling on the following: • for coping with the emotional consequences of learning the result; • regarding potential discrimination as a result of disclosure of the test result; • for behavior change to prevent transmission or acquisition of a new HIV infection; • to inform the person of available medical treatments; • and regarding the need to notify contacts. A person who tests HIV negative must be provided with information concerning risks of participation in sexual and needle-sharing activities that can result in infection. This information may be in the form of written materials such as the Department’s Part A form DOH-2556i.
A person who tests HIV positive must be provided directly by the person ordering the test (or through a representative) the test result, an appointment for follow-up HIV medical care (with the patient’s consent) and counseling that addresses: • coping emotionally with the test results; • discrimination issues relating to employment, housing, public accommodations, health care and social services; • authorizing the release and revoking the release of confidential HIV-related information; • preventing high risk sexual or needle-sharing behavior; • the availability of medical treatment; • HIV reporting requirements for the purposes of monitoring of the HIV/AIDS epidemic; • the advisability of contacts being notified to prevent transmission, and to allow early access of exposed persons to HIV testing, health care, and prevention services, and a description of notification options and assistance available to the protected individual; • the risk of domestic violence in conformance with a dom
