HIV*PACT
Wellness and Health Promotion Services and highly trained students offer you anonymous HIV testing, counseling and education through HIV*PACT (HIV Peer Anonymous Counseling and Testing).
NOTE: For confidential HIV testing see STI screening through Medical Services. (See also The Difference between Confidential and Anonymous HIV Testing.)
This screening through HIV*PACT is available to registered students. Highly trained Stanford undergraduate and graduate students offer individual appointments. A limited number of appointments are also available with health educators.
For an appointment call (650) 498-2336, extention 1 or DROP IN to the East Clinic or West Clinic at Vaden (First Floor) and request an anonymous HIV test appointment. When scheduling your appointments, please use an anonymous name.
Procedure – Every student has two appointments: one to take the test and one to get the results. The second appointment is always exactly one week after the first, at the same time and with the same counselor. Don't schedule an appointment until you know you can make both appointments.
Frequently Asked Questions About HIV*PACT
- On this page:
- What is HIV?
- How do the new laws about HIV test results affect HIV*PACT?
- Who does the HIV counseling and testing?
- Can I choose either a needle-free saliva test or a blood test?
- Can I have a copy of my results?
- Can my partner(s) come with me?
- Can my Vaden medical practitioner test me?
- Where in the neighboring community can I get tested?
- How can I become a peer HIV counselor?
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.orgThe Crane Center (Santa Clara County AIDS Health Services):
(408) 792-3720San Mateo County Public Health Department (multiple locations): (650) 573-2346
www.smchsa.org
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 health@stanford.edu.