My office informed me that I have to pass an HIV test to obtain my work visa. I came on a one-month tourist visa, which is running out quickly, so I bit my tongue and showed up at the DK German Medical Diagnostic Center (German Clinic), known to be the best place for these things. One of the admin guys accompanied me there.I've taken HIV tests pretty regularly since 1993/4, so it's not something new. What was new was how casually people take the test here.
I'm used to a private pre-test counseling where they ask about your mating habits, and then a separate room where they hand out the test and provide information about safety. Not in this clinic.
The admin guy filled out some forms, and a technician sat me down and drew my blood without asking any questions, or even bothering to look at me. Then I had to wait 30 long minutes in the lobby with five other men. Even if you know for sure, waiting at a long narrow corridor for a test like this can be very unnerving, particularly when your employment depends on it.
The receptionist guy at the lobby printed out my results, and was trying to locate one of the German doctors. I saw my name being typed, but couldn't read the results, and wondered why someone else needed to be located. The longer it took to locate this person, the more my knees started to shake.
Finally, the guy came, took a look at the result, signed it, and left. The receptionist called my colleague, and handed him one copy of the results, and one copy to me. No envelope, no confidentiality in front of anyone else. I smiled, cursed under my breath, and left the place immediately.
I wondered what would have happened if I tested positive. Would the same young cheerful receptionist, with five other people watching, just hand me the result, and say "no visa for you" in the manner of Soup Nazi, or would he be shocked and create a fuss? I'm glad I never had to find out.
