stated above, you should return in another 3 months to have a second test done and abstain from any risky behavior during this period.

Generally, you interpret your results by comparing them with the results of other participants. (See What determines a match?)

HIV test is most accurate if done three months after your most recent risk occurrence such as unprotected sex, sharing needles etc. You do not need to do an HIV test on a regular basis unless you feel you have been at risk for the virus.

HIV test is required for some studies. You will be informed in the screening process as to whether or not you will need to be tested for HIV, and our doctor will counsel you about AIDS, HIV and issues relating to the test. You will be told the result in a confidential manner.

The first step in interpreting a T3 suppression test is to compare the pre- and post- pill T3 and FT3 concentrations. We need to document an increase in 2 to 3 hour post pill T3 and FT3 to demonstrate that the medication was adequately administered and absorbed. If there is no change in T3 and FT3, and the baseline T3 and T4 concentrations are not clearly elevated, we cannot make a correct interpretation of the test.

Once the reaction time of the test is complete, color bands will appear (or fail to appear) in the test region of the strip or midstream unit. All tests have a "control" color band (or color line) that indicates whether the test is working or not. The "test" color band indicates a positive or negative result (please refer to the graphic below).

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A negative test result means that you are not infected with HIV or you have recently been infected with HIV and can infect others, but the test did not yet detect enough HIV antibodies to provide accurate test results. Consider getting a retest six months from your last exposure. A positive test result means you are infected with HIV, you will always have HIV, and you can infect others.

Understanding Blood Tests, A Guide for Patients with Cancer at http://www.vh.org/adult/patient/cancercenter/bloodtests/index.html is a good site to learn how to interpret blood tests. Another good site is Interpretation of Lab Results at http://www.globalrph.com/labinter.htm.

HIV test results are usually available after seven to 10 days. You can call the clinic to find out if your test result is available, but you must return to the clinic yourself to get the actual result. You do not need to schedule an appointment to get your results.

If used correctly, ovulation tests are excellent predictors of ovulation. However, in order to detect the LH surge with accuracy, directions must be followed exactly. The most common mistake made with OPKs is generalizing the methods of pregnancy testing to ovulation testing - which leads to errors in use and in the interpretation of results. To get the most out of ovulation testing, read our Ovulation Test FAQ.

The Authentic Happiness Index (AHI) helps you determine your present level of happiness. The AHI is scored from a 24 to 120. When you complete the test it converts your raw score automatically into a percentage and compares you to people who have already taken the index. You are compared to all web users, your gender, your age group, your occupation, education level and location (Zip code). The higher your score the happier you are.

The Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) measures how many depressive symptoms you felt during the past week. The test is scored so that higher scores indicate greater number and severity of symptoms of depression. A score from 0 to 9 means you are in the nondepressed range; 10 to 15 puts you in the mildly depressed range; and 16 to 24 puts you in the moderately depressed range. A score over 24 means you are in the severely depressed range.

Many test sites offer both confidential and anonymous testing. Before making an appointment, you can ask which tests are offered at the testing site. At those sites that offer both confidential and anonymous testing, you will be allowed to choose the type of test you want. The results of all positive HIV tests are reported to the HIV/AIDS Program to assist us in providing services and to help us understand and control the HIV/AIDS epidemic.