[Receiving a positive HIV test result--the experience of Polish patients]

Based on the results of questionnaires, the experience of Polish patients in receiving HIV positive results indicating the presence of anti-HIV antibodies was evaluated. In spite of the fact that the incidence of doing these tests without patient's informed consent has decreased from 61.6% (in the years 1988-1996) to 27.2% (in the years 1997-2003) it still happens more often that in the other "old" countries of EU. The significance of serological window as well as positive and negative result is explained too rare to the Polish patients. Most often the information is given by the medical doctors who are not enough educated to do it.