Risk of HIV

You may be concerned about the possibility of contracting HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) during a sexual assault. The HIV virus is transmitted if the blood or semen of an infected person enters your body or blood stream. Your risk of contracting HIV from a one-time assault is very low. Risk increases if there is physical injury to the vagina or rectum.

A test has been developed that can detect antibodies to the HIV virus in your blood. A positive result on this test does not mean that you have contracted HIV or that you will. It only means that you’ve been exposed and are likely to have the virus in your body. 

If you’re at high risk for contracting HIV the SATC doctor will discuss options with you at the time of the exam including testing via a Rapid HIV test for the pre-existing virus in your body, as well as other medical tests from a blood draw. You can also discuss medications that are taken for a 28-day period that may assist in reducing your risk of contracting HIV, as well as follow up care for further evaluation with your SATC physician.  

Free, confidential testing and information are available to persons 14 years and older at the Hawai'i State Department of Health STD/AIDS Prevention Branch. Call 808-733-9281 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

There is also an HIV hotline at 808-922-1313.