Options Clinic: Anonymous HIV Testing

PROGRAM HOURS AND INFORMATION

For information about our hours of operation or outreach locations/dates and times, please refer to our Outreach Schedule.

The Options Clinic: Anonymous HIV Testing

The Options Clinic provides you with exactly that – options. We provide testing and social support.

The Options Clinic is now offering free, anonymous, rapid testing by appointment.   Entry to the Health Centre will involve an anonymous COVID-19 screening, and we are asking all those entering our clinic to please wear a mask if possible.

Anonymous HIV testing is a way to test for HIV without collecting identifiable or contact information. All testing, recording and reporting of results is done using a numbered testing code known only to the client.

Anonymous testing is an addition to, not a replacement of, existing HIV testing options.

Making an Appointment

You do not need to give your  name or provide a health card.

All that is linked to you is your year of birth and a six-digit testing number.

The Options Clinic is one of 50 anonymous testing services in Ontario, but the only one in London. We operate at multiple testing sites across the city.

Call or text J.P. at 519-709-5903 to book at appointment or call the Options Clinic (519) 673-4427.

Texts and voicemails are replied to Monday to Friday from 9 am – 5 pm.

Rapid HIV Testing

Many people getting tested will receive a rapid test that provides 99.97% accurate results in 20 minutes. Others receive a traditional blood-draw test and get their results within a week.

Although anyone can become HIV positive, communities who are at increased risk of contracting HIV/AIDS in Ontario include;

• Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, cis and trans
• Ontarians from Africa and the Caribbean
• Indigenous populations
• People who inject drugs
• Women (trans and cis) who engage in high-risk activities

If you belong to one or more of these populations or have engaged in high-risk activities and are interested in testing please contact us at Options Clinic.

Want to see a rapid test before coming in?

Free HIV Testing

There is no charge to book an appointment for testing or for the test itself. Every appointment is judgment-free and hassle-free – getting tested is respectable and responsible. Less than 1% of tests are positive, but it’s important to be proactive about your health and to know your HIV status. If a test is positive, we provide you with the resources you need, ensuring you have control of your health care moving forward.

HIV Testing Locations

London InterCommunity Health Centre – 659 Dundas St. (519) 673-4427

• Mon, Tue, Wed, and Fri 9 am  to 4 pm
• Thurs 10:30 am to 4 pm

Types of HIV Testing

We want to provide you with as much information as possible so you can make an informed decision about how you want to be tested. In Ontario, there are three types of HIV testing available:

• Anonymous – the name or identity of the person being tested is not requested, recorded or reported. The test is ordered using a code known only to the person being tested.
• Non-nominal – the practitioner ordering the test knows the name or identity of the person being tested, but orders the test using a code. If the test is positive, the laboratory is required to report the result to the local medical officer of health.
• Nominal testing – the practitioner orders the test using the person’s name. If the test is positive, the laboratory is required to report the result to the local medical officer of health.

Options Clinic – Hep C Testing

Options Clinic is also able to offer rapid hepatitis C testing! Hepatitis C is a virus that injures the liver.   Also just a finger poke, this test detects hepatitis C antibodies, to determine if you have been exposed to hepatitis C.   This test is not a diagnosis, and a reactive result would need a follow-up standard blood draw test to determine if you have an active hepatitis C infection.  This test takes about 15 minutes to yield a conclusive result, and it is NOT anonymous.  It does require you to provide your name, and health card number if possible.   For more information on what hepatitis C is, and how it is transmitted, please visit our Hep C Program Page.

Self Test Pick-Up Location

Did you know that the Options Clinic is a pick-up site for Take Home HIV test kits? Clients can take home up to 5 self-test kits for themselves or friends & partners. The test is a screening test for HIV and will need a blood draw to confirm an HIV diagnosis. It is 99.97% accurate and Options will provide a space to use a self-test onsite if you are not comfortable testing at home, alone. Want to learn more? Visit Insti-HIV Self Test online at https://www.insti.com/hiv-self-test/ 

Resources

FIGHTING HIV STIGMA: Access, Mobilization and Equity