Within 72 hours
PEP counselling
A fast, honest risk assessment, what to say at the hospital, and support to finish all 28 days.
Read: the first 72 hours after an exposure · PEP explained
Book on WhatsAppOverview
HIV Counselling in Abu Dhabi: Start Here
Abu Dhabi, the UAE's capital, is a city of government offices, oil and gas, construction and a large South Asian workforce.
From civil servants and engineers on Al Reem Island to drivers and technicians in the city centre, our Abu Dhabi clients share one concern: privacy. Healthcare in the emirate is regulated by the Department of Health, and residence-visa medical rules include HIV screening, so many people are anxious before they have even established whether there was any real risk. We start there, calmly and confidentially.
Searching for the best doctors for HIV/AIDS in Abu Dhabi usually starts with one urgent question: was I at risk? Below you'll find honest answers about testing, results times and confirmation, plus how a confidential session with Dr. Yuvraj Monga, an Indian HIV doctor available online, can help.
We also counsel people in nearby Mussafah, Al Ain and Al Dhafra, and across Dubai and the UAE.
At a glance
- Private counselling for Abu Dhabi on WhatsApp, chat, voice or video, US$99.
- Healthcare here is regulated by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH).
- For urgent PEP: SEHA hospital emergency departments such as Sheikh Khalifa Medical City and Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City.
- Support is available 24x7 on WhatsApp: consult an Indian HIV doctor online.
The program
Run by Dr. Yuvraj Monga, Indian HIV & STD Specialist
Behind this page is the HIV Testing Counselling program of Dr. Yuvraj Monga, MBBS, MD, an Indian HIV, AIDS and STD specialist physician with a fellowship in infectious diseases. Over 25 years he has managed and treated patients from around the world, many of them working in the UAE and the wider Gulf. His counselling follows WHO guidelines and the EXACT program.
Easy consultation, friendly follow-up. We were among the first to build counselling around the whole journey: exposure, anxiety, counselling, testing and treatment.
Recognition
- Indian Achievers Award (2014)
- Brand Achiever, Health Care Excellence Awards (2015)
- Indian Achievers Award for Best Clinic in Delhi-NCR (2017)
Know before you test
What Residents of Abu Dhabi Should Know First
For people living in Abu Dhabi, an HIV question rarely feels purely medical. It is tied up with work, residence status and family. Here is what residents should know, stated plainly and responsibly.
The visa medical test
The medical fitness examination for UAE residence visas, at first application and at renewal, includes an HIV test. Official guidance says applicants must be free of communicable diseases such as HIV and TB.
Who can test and treat
In Abu Dhabi, HIV and STD tests, examinations and prescriptions must come from providers licensed by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH). Licensed facilities follow UAE rules on notifying certain infections, including HIV.
How counselling helps
Counselling gives you accurate information and a clear plan before you act. It is private, unhurried and available in Hindi or English.
What counselling is not
We do not give legal or immigration advice, and we never advise anyone to avoid lawful requirements. For visa or employment questions, please consult a qualified UAE legal professional.
Source: UAE Government portal: health conditions for residence visas. Rules change; always check the current official guidance.
Testing journey
Pre- and Post-HIV Test Counselling: Your Testing Journey
Pre-test counselling prepares you before blood is drawn: was the exposure risky, which test suits your timing, and how will you receive the result? Post-test counselling turns the result into a plan. In busy clinics both are often brief; a dedicated session gives you time for every question, in your own language.
- 1
Talk first
A risk review and PEP decision before anything else.
- 2
The test itself
Blood drawn at a licensed UAE laboratory, usually a 4th-generation test.
- 3
Stay steady
Support through the wait, without constant symptom-checking.
- 4
Understand the answer
Post-test counselling for every result, reactive or not.
What is post-test counselling?
It is the conversation held when you receive an HIV test result. It confirms that you have understood the result correctly, checks whether the test was taken late enough to be conclusive, plans any retest, and, if the result is reactive, provides support and a clear route to specialist care.
Screening test counselling for Abu Dhabi
A screening result is only as good as its timing and its interpretation. We look at the test type, the date it was taken and the wording on the report, and tell you clearly whether you can trust it or need one more test.
Results
HIV Test Results Time in Abu Dhabi
Two clocks matter after an exposure in Abu Dhabi: the window period, which decides when a test can be trusted, and the laboratory turnaround. Here is how they compare by test type:
| Test | When it becomes reliable after exposure | Typical time to result |
|---|---|---|
| Nucleic acid (RNA) test | Earliest detection, from roughly 10 days onwards | Usually a few days |
| 4th-generation antigen/antibody test | Detects most infections by about 6 weeks | Often within a day or two at many UAE laboratories |
| Antibody-only rapid test | Trustworthy from about 3 months | A few minutes; reactive results go to the lab |
| Confirmatory testing | Done only after a reactive screen | Adds several more days at a reference laboratory |
Turnaround times vary by laboratory; ask when you book. If you took PEP, follow-up HIV tests are usually planned about 4–6 weeks and 3 months after the exposure. Read more about how the HIV window period affects accuracy and our own guide to the window period.
Confirmation
What Test Is Used to Confirm a Diagnosis of HIV?
What test is used to confirm a diagnosis of HIV? Not one test, but a sequence. Nobody should be diagnosed on a single screening result:
The screen
Sensitive by design, so a small number of reactive screens turn out negative on confirmation.
Supplementary confirmation
A different assay, such as an HIV-1/HIV-2 antibody differentiation test or a Western blot, run at a reference laboratory.
HIV RNA (NAT) where needed
When results disagree, or infection may be very recent, a nucleic acid test detects the virus directly.
Fresh sample
Most laboratories confirm on a second sample, so no diagnosis rests on a single tube of blood.
HIV serology test counselling
“Serology” means blood tests for antibodies and antigen. In a serology test counselling session we go through your report line by line: the assay used, the cut-off values, and what “reactive”, “non-reactive” or “indeterminate” really mean. You can share a photo of the report with your name covered.
After your result
Post-Test Counselling for HIV: Decoding Your Result
Post-test counselling for HIV depends entirely on what the report says. Here is a simple decoder, and what we cover with clients in Abu Dhabi for each result:
Non-reactive
Means: No HIV detected by that test.
Next: Conclusive only if taken after the window period for that test type. Otherwise, retest on the right date.
Reactive (screening)
Means: The screening test found something that needs checking.
Next: Not a diagnosis. A confirmatory test is always done before anyone is told they have HIV.
Indeterminate
Means: The confirmatory test was unclear.
Next: Usually a non-specific reaction; a repeat sample or RNA test a few weeks later settles it.
Positive (confirmed)
Means: HIV infection confirmed by two different tests.
Next: Treatment works: most people reach an undetectable viral load within months. Specialist care follows.
Waiting is often the hardest part: these practical tools for coping while you wait for results can help. For a confirmed result, read about HIV treatment, viral load and CD4 and the HIV care continuum.
Our approach
The EXACT Program
EXposure · Anxiety · Counselling · Testing & Treatment
- EX
Exposure
Facts first: what happened, when, and whether PEP is still possible.
- A
Anxiety
Tools to stop the late-night symptom searching.
- C
Counselling
Unhurried sessions on risk, partners, family and work.
- T
Testing & Treatment
The right tests on the right dates, results explained.
Local care
Infectious Disease Doctors and STD/HIV Testing & Treatment in Abu Dhabi
Searching for infectious disease doctors near me in Abu Dhabi will mostly bring up hospital departments and private clinics. Specialist HIV and infectious disease care here is provided by infectious disease clinics at SEHA hospitals and DoH-licensed private hospitals. Many residents can book a specialist directly at a licensed private hospital, although insurance plans differ in what they require.
SEHA hospital emergency departments such as Sheikh Khalifa Medical City and Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City
Your fastest route to a PEP assessment, day or night.
DoH-licensed hospitals and clinics
For STD and HIV testing and treatment in Abu Dhabi.
Your health insurance provider
Many residents' plans cover outpatient consultations and laboratory tests; check your network.
Dr. Monga online counselling
Confidential guidance on risk, timing, results and anxiety, in Hindi or English.
Need PEP outside clinic hours? Read where to get PEP at night or on weekends, and how to choose a genuine clinic.
Is Dr. Monga an infectious disease doctor?
Yes in training and focus: an MBBS, MD physician with an infectious diseases fellowship and 25+ years in HIV and STD care. For clients in Abu Dhabi, he works online, explaining, planning and supporting, while UAE-licensed clinicians handle examinations, tests and prescriptions.
PrEP Explained: What It Is, When to Use It, and How to Get It
What is PrEP?
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is medicine that people without HIV take before a possible exposure to prevent HIV. The most common form is a daily tablet containing tenofovir and emtricitabine. Taken as prescribed, PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99%, according to the US CDC. It does not protect against other STIs, so condoms and regular STI testing still matter.
Who should consider PrEP?
- You have a partner living with HIV who is not yet undetectable.
- You have new or multiple partners and don't always use condoms.
- You have had an STI in the past six months.
- You have needed PEP more than once.
- You share needles or injecting equipment.
How and when do you take it?
- Daily PrEP: one tablet every day, for anyone at ongoing risk.
- Event-based (2-1-1) PrEP: an option for some men who have sex with men, timed around sex. Your doctor will tell you if it suits you.
- Before starting: a negative HIV test, plus kidney and hepatitis B checks.
- While on PrEP: HIV, STI and kidney tests about every three months.
PrEP is not PEP. PrEP is taken before exposure. If you have already had an exposure in the last 72 hours, you need PEP: please consult a doctor or hospital in your own area immediately. Read PEP vs PrEP and who should consider PrEP.
Why consult an Indian HIV doctor about PrEP?
- Experience: Dr. Yuvraj Monga has more than 25 years in HIV, AIDS and STD care, with patients from around the world.
- Affordable: medical care in India costs far less than private care in most countries, and generic PrEP made in India is among the most affordable anywhere.
- Clear guidance: in counselling, Dr. Monga explains whether PrEP suits you, which tests you need, and the costs and options in your country compared with India.
- Complete confidentiality: counselling, prescription and follow-up, privately.
Getting your PrEP medicine
After a consultation and baseline tests, Dr. Monga can prescribe PrEP. Medicines are couriered anywhere in India, and for clients abroad we discuss the safest legal way to get your PrEP during the consultation.
In the UAE, bringing in or importing HIV medicines is strictly controlled, and breaking these rules can have serious consequences. Never order or carry PrEP into the UAE without confirming it is permitted; discuss local options with a UAE-licensed doctor, or start PrEP while you are in India.
Our vision: a life free of HIV for everyone we counsel, through prevention, early testing and the right treatment.
Services
Counselling Services for Abu Dhabi
Most people who contact us from Abu Dhabi face a decision rather than a diagnosis. Pick the session that matches yours; the services page has the full list.
Nausea, bloating, upset stomach
PEP side-effect support
Nausea and bloating are common in the first weeks. We help you manage them and finish the course safely.
Read: common PEP side effects and how to manage them
Book on WhatsAppPrevention before exposure
PrEP counselling
We explain how PrEP works and who benefits most; in India, Dr. Monga can assess you and prescribe it in person.
Read: who should consider PrEP
Book on WhatsAppWhich test, and when
Testing counselling
One well-timed test instead of five anxious ones: we match the test to your exposure date.
Read: why a combined STD and HIV panel makes sense
Book on WhatsAppSymptoms or silent worry
STD counselling
From genital symptoms to silent worry, we help you understand STD risk, testing and treatment clearly.
Read: can you have an STD without symptoms?
Book on WhatsAppHere or back home
Partner & spouse counselling
Whether your partner is here or back home, we help you plan an honest conversation and safe testing for both of you.
Read: how to talk to your partner about an exposure
Book on WhatsAppSafe conception
Family planning counselling
Undetectable viral load first, safe conception for mixed-status couples, and pregnancy planning.
Read: why an undetectable viral load matters
Book on WhatsAppPEP side effects at a glance
- Nausea: take doses with food; ask about anti-nausea medicine.
- Bloating & upset stomach: smaller, lighter meals.
- Loose stools: fluids and oral rehydration; seek care after two days.
- Tiredness: usually eases by week two.
- Fever: not a typical PEP side effect; see a doctor promptly, especially with a rash.
Local support
Support for People in Abu Dhabi
For busy professionals
Discretion matters. Support is available 24x7, sessions take place by chat, voice or video, and give you precise, expert answers without a waiting room.
Worried about your wife or husband?
Many men and women working in the UAE worry about a spouse in India or here. We help you understand your own risk first, then plan how and when to talk, and how both of you can test safely.
For workers on long shifts
If you live in shared accommodation and work six days a week, privacy and time are the biggest barriers. A WhatsApp session in Hindi, at a time that suits your shift, needs no clinic visit and involves no one at work.
HIV basics
HIV in Brief: What It Is, Symptoms and Why Early Advice Matters
What is HIV?
HIV is a virus that gradually depletes the CD4 cells which coordinate the body's defences. It needs a specific route, mainly condomless sex or shared injecting equipment. Without treatment it can progress to AIDS; with treatment, people live long, healthy lives.
Symptoms
Acute HIV, if it causes symptoms at all, looks like a bad flu: fever, sore throat, rash and swollen lymph nodes. In the UAE heat, tiredness and headaches are common for many reasons, which is why symptom-checking online so often makes anxiety worse.
Read more: HIV basics · early symptoms · high-risk exposures · when to consult
Why consult early?
A narrow PEP window
PEP is not offered after 72 hours, so every hour counts.
Protecting your future
The earlier HIV is treated, the more immune strength is preserved.
Protecting partners
Effective treatment prevents sexual transmission.
Less worry, sooner
Clear advice early ends weeks of searching and repeat testing.
Standards
Following WHO Guidelines: the 5 Cs of HIV Testing
We follow WHO guidelines on HIV testing services, summed up as the 5 Cs. You can expect all five from us, and from any good testing service:
1
Consent
Nobody should be tested without agreeing.
2
Confidentiality
Your conversation stays private.
3
Counselling
Clear information before, support after.
4
Correct results
Quality-assured testing and confirmation.
5
Connection
Linkage to treatment and prevention services.
In person
Seeing Dr. Monga When You Visit India
Many UAE residents consult online first and then see Dr. Monga in person during a trip home, at his clinics in Lajpat Nagar and Dwarka (New Delhi) and Gurugram. Delhi is only about a three-to-four-hour flight from the UAE. In India, Dr. Monga can examine, test and treat you directly, including PEP, PrEP and HIV treatment.
Never delay PEP for a flight. After an exposure, seek care locally within 72 hours, ideally within hours.
Read: HIV testing and PEP for NRIs and expats in India · HIV test records and privacy in India · our Delhi clinics
Your doctor
Dr. Yuvraj Monga, MBBS, MD
MBBS, MD (Pharmacology) · Fellowship in Infectious Diseases (Australia) · 25+ years managing HIV, AIDS & STDs
For more than 25 years, Dr. Monga has cared for people at every stage of HIV, from the first frightening hours after an exposure to decades of successful treatment. Many of his patients are Indians living in the Gulf, and he understands the pressures of work, family and privacy that come with life in Abu Dhabi.
- HIV testing & counselling
- PEP & PrEP guidance
- ART coordination, CD4 & viral load monitoring
- STD/STI testing & treatment
- HIV anxiety counselling
- LGBTQ+ affirming care
- Relationship & marriage counselling
Booking
How Booking Works: 24x7 Support on WhatsApp
- Reach outWhatsApp or the form below.
- BookConfirmed on WhatsApp, 24x7.
- ConsultShare reports in confidence.
- PlanLeave with dated tests and next steps.
24x7
Message any time, day or night. Our support team is available 24x7 on WhatsApp for Abu Dhabi. Your private consultation with Dr. Yuvraj Monga, an Indian HIV doctor, is confirmed there.
Message 24x7 on WhatsApp72hours
Don't Let the Virus Get Ahead of You
PEP works only in the first 72 hours, and every week of untreated HIV costs immune strength. Whether you're worried, waiting or newly diagnosed, book your consultation today.
Private query
Ask Dr. Monga, Confidentially
Write as much or as little as you like. A copy reaches our team by email, and WhatsApp opens with your message for the fastest reply.
- 100% confidential
- US$99 counselling package, confirmed before payment
- Hindi or English · 24x7 support
FAQ
HIV Questions from Abu Dhabi
Who are the best doctors for HIV/AIDS in Abu Dhabi?
For long-term HIV care and STD/HIV testing and treatment in Abu Dhabi, residents use infectious disease clinics at SEHA hospitals and DoH-licensed private hospitals. Which doctor is 'best' depends on your insurance, your area and what you need right now. If you would like to talk it through first, Dr. Yuvraj Monga offers confidential online counselling.
Is there an Indian HIV doctor for Abu Dhabi online?
Yes. Dr. Yuvraj Monga, an HIV, AIDS and STD specialist from India with 25+ years of experience, counsels UAE residents on WhatsApp, voice or video in Hindi or English. Tests and prescriptions in the UAE must come from a locally licensed provider.
Is Dr. Monga an infectious disease doctor?
He is an HIV/AIDS and STD specialist physician, MBBS, MD, with a fellowship in infectious diseases. For people in Abu Dhabi he works online as a counsellor and guide; UAE-licensed doctors provide examinations, tests and prescriptions.
Does HIV affect a UAE residence visa?
The residence-visa medical fitness test includes HIV, and the UAE Government states applicants must be free of communicable diseases such as HIV. We provide health counselling, not legal advice; please consult a qualified UAE legal professional for visa questions.
What should I do if PEP makes me feel sick?
Nausea, bloating and tiredness are common early on. Take doses with food, keep up fluids and ask your prescribing doctor about anti-nausea medicine. Never stop PEP on your own; fever with rash or yellow eyes needs urgent care.
Where can I get PEP in the UAE?
Go to a hospital emergency department straight away, for example SEHA hospital emergency departments such as Sheikh Khalifa Medical City and Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, and ask to be assessed for HIV PEP. Licensed UAE doctors can prescribe it. It must start within 72 hours, ideally within hours.
How much does online counselling cost?
The online counselling package for UAE residents is US$99, with details confirmed on WhatsApp before payment.
What does HIV serology test counselling cover?
Help reading your HIV blood test report: the assay, the index or cut-off values, terms such as reactive or indeterminate, and what the final interpretation means for you.
What is post-test counselling for HIV?
Post-test counselling is the discussion held when you get an HIV result. It checks that the result is final for your exposure date, plans any retest, covers prevention, and for a reactive result offers support and a route to specialist care.
How long do HIV test results take in the UAE?
Rapid tests take minutes and many UAE laboratories report a 4th-generation result within one or two days. Confirmation after a reactive screen takes several days more. The window period matters more than the turnaround.
Where can I get STD and HIV testing and treatment in Abu Dhabi?
Testing and treatment in Abu Dhabi are provided by infectious disease clinics at SEHA hospitals and DoH-licensed private hospitals, regulated by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH). Check insurance and opening hours before you go, and test at the right time after your exposure.
Is support available 24x7 in the UAE?
Yes. Support is available 24x7 on WhatsApp, day or night, and your consultation with Dr. Monga, an Indian HIV doctor, is confirmed there.
Nearby
More UAE Guides Near Abu Dhabi
Resources
Further Reading
Doctor-reviewed guides
From our sister site, PEP Treatment for HIV:
- HIV window period testing When results are reliable
- HIV testing and PEP for NRIs in India Care when you visit India
- Coping while waiting for results Practical tools
- The first 72 hours after exposure An emergency checklist
Official UAE & global resources
- Ministry of Health and Prevention Federal health ministry
- WHO: HIV and AIDS Global guidance
- UAE Government: health conditions for residence visas Official visa medical information
- Dubai Health Authority Healthcare regulator for Dubai
Related searches
HIV doctor in Abu DhabiBest doctors for HIV/AIDS in Abu DhabiSTD/HIV testing and treatment in Abu DhabiInfectious disease doctor Abu DhabiIndian HIV doctor in Dubai onlinePost-test counselling for HIV
More guides: HIV information · early symptoms · viral load & CD4 · about Dr. Monga · services · contact
Medical and legal note: Dr. Monga HIV Counselling Center provides online counselling, education and guidance from India. It does not replace an in-person examination, laboratory testing or prescriptions from a provider licensed in the UAE, and it is not legal or immigration advice. If an exposure happened in the last 72 hours, seek PEP at a hospital emergency department now. In an emergency in the UAE, call 999 (police) or 998 (ambulance).