Location: Bowdoin / Health Services / Services / AIDS/HIV Testing

AIDS/HIV Testing

Confidential HIV antibody testing is available, by appointment, at Health Services free of charge. We require two appointments for testing. In the pre-test counseling session, we review:

  • Nature and reliability of the HIV antibody test
  • Reasons why you are seeking testing
  • Risks and benefits of testing
  • How we give you the results
  • Risky behaviors and prevention practices

After counseling, you will sign a consent form. This form is kept in a locked file cabinet apart from your medical record. No mention of HIV testing is recorded in the chart. When your blood is drawn for the test, we give you a code that serves as the only link to your test result. When you return for your test results, you are given the consent form and the printed result to take with you.

Please note that some programs (study abroad or Peace Corps, for example) may require HIV test results. If you need the results for a program, let us know so we can arrange to have your name on the test results.

The HIV laboratory test is run at the state lab in Augusta. Results are available in 10 to 14 days. You need to bring your code to the post-test counseling session so that we can identify your test result. In the post-test counseling session we discuss:

  • The reliability and significance of test results
  • Risky behaviors and prevention practices
  • Further testing recommendations
  • Referrals for medical care and other support services, if necessary.

After we have given you your test results and consent form, no written record of your test or results remain at Health Services.

Please call us at 725-3770 if you have questions or want to make an appointment for HIV antibody testing. Merrymeeting AIDS Support Services is another local resource that provides anonymous testing (using the oral test). They are located at 124 Maine Street in downtown Brunswick and their phone number is 725-4955.

To find out about other HIV antibody testing sites, please call:

  • The AIDS Project - Phone # 774-6877 or 1-866-701-3897
  • Portland STD Clinic - Phone # 874-8446