HIV Testing and Counseling: Crisis and Coping for Adolescents and Adults (From Courage to Care: Responding to the Crisis of Children with AIDS, P 271-283, 1990, Gary Anderson, ed. -- See NCJ-127599)

• NCJ Number: 127609
• Author(s): R James
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 13 pages
• Sale Source: Child Welfare League of America, Inc.
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

HIV testing for adolescents and adults involves several complex and difficult associated clinical issues. HIV testing is used to determine one's health status, to make decisions regarding pregnancy planning, and to facilitate early diagnosis and medical intervention.

Abstract

Adolescents and adults who decide to take the HIV test, whether voluntarily or under coercion, should seek clinics that perform the test with confidentiality and that provide intensive and thorough counseling services. One dilemma that can be posed by confidentiality is that of informing other persons who may be at risk of HIV infection. Pretest counseling includes education about the test, the nature of HIV disease, future risk reduction, and treatment options; it is a required part of the testing process. The elements of post-test counseling depend on whether the client tests seronegative or seropositive. Special issues in testing and counseling relate to cultural factors and to differences between the experiences of adults and adolescents.