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HIV Anonymous Testing

HIV*PACT

HIV*PACT (HIV Peer Anonymous Counseling and Testing) is an HPS-affiliated student group that offers free and anonymous HIV testing, counseling and education to all registered Stanford University students. HIV*PACT  is a program of IThrive @ Stanford (Health Promotion Services). Appointments, available to Stanford students, are administered by highly trained students and offer you anonymous HIV testing, counseling and education.

NOTE: For confidential HIV testing see STI screening through Medical Services. (See also: The Difference between Confidential and Anonymous HIV Testing.)

We offer OraQuick rapid testing so you only need to schedule one appointment and you will have a result at the end of that appointment.For an appointment visit hiv.stanford.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About HIV*PACT

What is HIV?

HIV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). The American College Health Association estimates that one in every 500 college students (0.2 percent) is HIV positive.

What are the new laws about HIV test results?

Senate Bill 699 was passed in April, 2006. It affects reporting of positive HIV test results to local health officials and the California Department of Health Services. Since April, health care providers and labs are required to report confidential, positive HIV test results by patient name.

Because HIV*PACT is an anonymous service, we do not keep or report test results. If you would like your results or need documentation, please see your Vaden medical clinician for testing.

Who does the HIV counseling and testing?

Our HIV counselors are a paraprofessional team of highly trained graduate and undergraduate Stanford students. The team is closely supervised by Vaden Health Center professional staff. The counselors offer you an anonymous, nonjudgmental, peer-to-peer service. You may use an assumed name and can have an appointment with a professional health education counselor at your request.

Can I choose either a needle-free saliva test or a blood test?

Yes. HIV*PACT offers both tests. There are no needles involved in the Orasure saliva test and the results are extremely accurate.

Can I have a copy of my results or request documentation?

No. Privacy in regards to an HIV test is one of the highest priorities at HIV*PACT. It is our policy to shred results after the final appointment. 
If you want a copy of your results or need documentation, please have testing done with a Vaden medical clinician (see below).

Can my partner(s) come with me?

Although anyone can escort you to your appointment, our policy does not permit another person to come into the room with you. This applies to both the testing appointment and the results appointment. Giving another person permission to be in the room does not change the policy.

Can my Vaden medical practitioner test me?

Yes, Vaden medical medical clinicians can do confidential HIV tests as well as comprehensive testing for other STIs. (Learn about the difference between confidential and anonymous HIV testing.)

HIV*PACT offers both blood and oral tests.  Medical Services offers only blood tests.

Community Sites for Anonymous HIV Testing

The following clinics in the neighboring community also offer anonymous HIV tests. They are often free.

Planned Parenthood
Redwood City/San Mateo (800) 967-7526
Mountain View (650) 948-0807
www.plannedparenthood.org

The Crane Center (Santa Clara County AIDS Health Services):
408-792-3720

San Mateo County Public Health  (multiple locations): 650-573-2346
 

How can I become a peer HIV counselor?

Applications for HIV*PACT are accepted early Fall Quarter. There are two (2)  prerequisite courses for becoming an HIV*PACT counselor: Education 193A: Peer Counseling and 193S: Sexual Health Education. Training includes an all-day session during a weekend in November and one or two evening role-play sessions. For more information, contact ithrive@stanford.edu.

Sexual Health Peer Resource Center (SHPRC)

SHPRC is a student group housed with Health Promotion Servcies that offers subsidized safer-sex supplies, counseling services and education to members of the Stanford community.