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A Comprehensive Research Program providing Enhanced HIV Testing
First Call NYU is a comprehensive research program, funded by the National Institutes of Health, for the identification and treatment of people with primary HIV infection. This innovative project is conducted by the NYU Center for AIDS Research in New York City.
About First Call NYU
Primary HIV infection is a phrase used to describe the days and weeks after a person is infected with HIV. This time period is also called acute HIV infection.
We believe that having a better understanding of the changes that occur over time in people with acute HIV infection will allow us, and researchers we collaborate with, to gather the knowledge to help create more effective vaccines and medications for the treatment and prevention of HIV.
As part of our goal to identify and study people with acute HIV infection, First Call NYU provides:
- Free, confidential HIV testing and counseling for men and women concerned about a possible recent exposure to HIV, or who are experiencing symptoms of primary HIV infection. For a description of common symptoms of a acute or recent HIV infection, click here.
- Referrals to research studies at the NYU Center for AIDS Research.
- Referrals to healthcare providers as indicated by test results received through First Call NYU.
Please contact us if:
- You are concerned about a possible high-risk exposure to HIV in the past 3 weeks, with or without symptoms of primary HIV infection.
- You are a health care professional, and you want to refer a patient for testing or participation in research.
When you call us about testing, you will have a brief telephone screening with one of our counselors or nurses to help determine whether First Call NYU testing is appropriate for you.
First Call NYU is a confidential HIV testing site. Under New York State law, we cannot provide anonymous HIV testing. In New York State, anonymous testing is provided for free but only at Department of Health test sites. If you would like to find an anonymous test location in New York City, please click here.
Symptoms of Primary HIV Infection
Most people (up to 80%) who become infected with HIV develop symptoms approximately 10-15 days1 after the infection occurs. The most common signs and symptoms of Primary HIV infection include:
- Fever
- Rash
- Night sweats
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Swollen Glands
- Sore throat
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Oral (mouth) ulcers or sores
- Joint pain and/or muscle aches
- Genital (penis/vagina) ulcers or sores
It is important to remember that the symptoms of primary HIV infection are similar to the symptoms of other infections, including the flu and other sexually transmitted infections like mono and hepatitis. Experiencing these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have HIV, but it is important to find out the cause of the symptoms.
For basic information about HIV and HIV testing, please click here.
Testing for Primary/Recent HIV infection
Acute HIV infections may not show up on standard HIV antibody tests. Antibodies for HIV usually take about 3 to 6 weeks to appear, and some individuals may take up to 3 months before they will test positive for HIV on standard tests. This period before antibodies appear on standard testing is called the "window period."
A PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test looks for HIV directly in a person's blood instead of detecting antibodies and can detect an HIV infection about a week after an exposure. Therefore the PCR test is used by researchers and health care providers to identify infections during the window period.
First Call NYU testing includes rapid HIV antibody testing, with results available in 20 minutes. PCR testing is offered to people who have had a recent high-risk exposure to HIV and/or are experiencing symptoms consistent with recent infection.
PHONE: (212) 263-3544 EMAIL: firstcallnyu@nyumc.org.
1.Vanhems P; Hughes J; Collier A; Vizzard J; Perrin L; Cooper D; Hirschel B; and Corey L. Comparison of clinical features, CD4 and CD8 responses among patients with acute HIV-1 infection from Geneva, Seatle, and Sydney. AIDS. 14(4):375-381, March, 10 2000.