I got my biannual HIV/AIDS check this past Sunday at KHAP (Korean Federation for HIV/AIDS Prevention) in Seoul. I highly recommend using this service to foreigners in Korea who want an anonymous HIV exam during their stay in Korea. It is quick, professional, provided in English, and free.
Upon arrival to the testing center you will be asked to fill out a quick survey. It asks about your state of mind before the testing as well as some basic questions about your sex life. Pretty simple. Afterward, they take a blood sample from your finger and do a rapid HIV test. These tests should detect the presence of a virus, but may not be responsive if you have been infected within the last two months. If you test positively to the rapid HIV test, they will proceed with a more comprehensive test and the center provides counseling as well.
While waiting for my results, I was nervous, of course. I'm quite a stickler for safe sex, but you never know. I chatted with one of the volunteers while waiting; it was weird and refreshing to talk so candidly about my sex life with a Korean woman in her 40s. She didn't seem to have any sort of negative thoughts about my relationship with a man and was inquisitive about the details. I recommended that she see Summer Days in Bloom, which is a documentary about HIV/AIDS in Korea.
Fifteen minutes later and I was called into the next room where the doctor unceremoniously announced that I tested negative. They had me take one more survey about my state of mind post test, and then I was on my way. To make my experience even more lovely, they handed me a gift.
To get to KHAP, take line 4 to Gireum station. Outside of exit 7 you want to walk straight on the main road (Miari Gogae). After you cross under a large bridge, KHAP is on your right next to the SK gas station. It is about a ten minute walk.
For more information about KHAP and their Ansan location, check out www.khap.org. Not sure if you need to be tested? Check out HIV Test Helper to see if you are high risk.
Upon arrival to the testing center you will be asked to fill out a quick survey. It asks about your state of mind before the testing as well as some basic questions about your sex life. Pretty simple. Afterward, they take a blood sample from your finger and do a rapid HIV test. These tests should detect the presence of a virus, but may not be responsive if you have been infected within the last two months. If you test positively to the rapid HIV test, they will proceed with a more comprehensive test and the center provides counseling as well.While waiting for my results, I was nervous, of course. I'm quite a stickler for safe sex, but you never know. I chatted with one of the volunteers while waiting; it was weird and refreshing to talk so candidly about my sex life with a Korean woman in her 40s. She didn't seem to have any sort of negative thoughts about my relationship with a man and was inquisitive about the details. I recommended that she see Summer Days in Bloom, which is a documentary about HIV/AIDS in Korea.
Fifteen minutes later and I was called into the next room where the doctor unceremoniously announced that I tested negative. They had me take one more survey about my state of mind post test, and then I was on my way. To make my experience even more lovely, they handed me a gift.
To get to KHAP, take line 4 to Gireum station. Outside of exit 7 you want to walk straight on the main road (Miari Gogae). After you cross under a large bridge, KHAP is on your right next to the SK gas station. It is about a ten minute walk.
For more information about KHAP and their Ansan location, check out www.khap.org. Not sure if you need to be tested? Check out HIV Test Helper to see if you are high risk.
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