HIV results over the phone?

I understand that in most cases, HIV test results are only given over the phone. Why is this? And is this the case in every clinic's office, or only in STD/HIV clinics specifically?
I phoned my family doctor's office today to ask if my results were in. I didn't expect them to have anything back, and thought I'd just have to make an appointment to see what the results were. The receptionist told me that they still worked by the "no news is good news" policy when it came to HIV results ( though she seemed uncertain initially), which surprised me. But the receptionist put me on hold while she went to see if my results had come back yet. After a few minutes she picked up and said, "You're fine." I was a little startled, and asked her if she meant my results were fine. She said Yes. I asked if I had to come in, and she said only if I wanted to. I feel relieved, but still apprehensive, wondering if she read the wrong paper/results, since I thought they were only given out in person.

I've made an appointment to actually see my doctor about the results. This clinic is affiliated with a hospital in my city, and is a clinic of family physicians (it isn't an STD clinic specifically). I think what's happened is the receptionist I spoke to isn't familiar with disclosing HIV results specifically, since the clinic deals with thousands of patients who have different health problems. So I think she told me my results over the phone without realizing she wasn't supposed to.

Clinics I've been to will give out negative results over the phone, but will make someone come in if their test comes up positive. I suppose if you're truely concerned you could schedule an appt with the doctor, but maybe a call to the clinic and asking to speak to the doctor personally would still ease your mind and wouldn't cost as much in time or money.

gee- that is impersonal- insensitive. Go for a 2'nd opinion somewhere else, and then you'll feel better about it.

Results should not be given over the phone, regardless of whether they are positive or negative, unless they asked for a bunch of personal information to confirm your identity.

A clinic which is willing to relay this information to any random person who calls and asks, is not one that I would pay a second visit to.

You are OK. Take it easy. They give the results to me over the phone, too.