I was wondering why a person would suspect they had HIV and request a test? My friend is going in for a blood test for it I guess and I wanted to know what made her think it might be HIV? Is it a regular thing if sexually active, or do you have to have reason to think you are? I'm quite worried for her, as she's only 18 and has her whole life ahead of her, and HIV doesn't bode well with a long life. She is very sexually active so perhaps she's just being safe but she wanted one of our friends to go with her so I think she's a little worried, which makes me worry even more. So if anyone would like to share on any of this, that'd be great.

The results of an HIV test are not immediate, so your friend will not find out while there.  It can also take up to 6 months after exposure for a person to test positive.

There are many ways a person can contract the virus.  Unprotected sexual activity is one.  The exchange of any body fluids (including blood and spit) can expose a person to the virus.

HIV is a serious condition. I hope your friend does not have it.  I also hope that if she is involving herself in risky activities that she stop them now.

Yes, I seriously hope she doesn't too. 

It's wise for anyone to get an HIV test, regardless of who they are or what they have or haven't done. A lot of people have the virus and don't even know it, and can therefore pass it to others.
   
Consider it just a responsible move on your friend's part. Everyone has the right and should know what's going on with their body. If more people were simply aware of whether they have HIV, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. etc. etc......a lot more preventative measures could be taken against these things, and more people would have a fighting chance against them.

Just my 2 cents.

Over here if you apply for any sort of health insurance etc and you tick the box that says "Have you taken an HIV test?" they freak out. There`s no difference as to why you might be taking the test....it`s just an automatic assumption that you`re living some sort of high risk life style, whether it`s sexual or sharing needles etc. So because you`re automatically assummed to be in a high risk group, your premiums can go up, and if you tick enough other high risk boxes you can end up being refused entirely.

As a result of this, and possibly being refused some jobs if tested for HIV (results not important) we get counselling over here before we take the teast. (No, I`ve never had it.) Also when pregnant women get tested they`re tested in some anonymous fashion which is added in to all their other blood tests....this is specifically so you don`t have to tick the box on the forms, and also in fear that some women might refuse the test and the babies might be affected. I`ve had three babies so assume I`ve been tested in this way, but have never been told I`m positive so I assume I`m not. (Or wasn`t at that point anyway!)

Stupid, isn`t it?

Reasons for test? Sex and drugs are the main suspects, but there can be a host of other reasons such as another member of the family group having it, or accidental blood sharing, or whatever. But I suspect the reason she`s going is because of the sexual activity from what you say. If there`s even the faintest suspicion that one of her ex partners has HIV then it`s best to take the test, even if she has used condoms as a barrier every time. (And she should have....)

I got an HIV test back in the early 1990's because I had unprotected sex with two ladies

Speaking from experience, if a person is having sex with more than one partner (especially if it is unprotectd) it is a very good idea to get tested because not only can HIV be a possibility but people can easily get STD's (Sexually Transmitted Diseases - the clap, gonorrhea, etc.).

They are more treatable but still can be very deadly and nothing to mess with

Jerry