HIV Testing

Everyone should know their HIV status. The only way to do that is by getting a test.

Some people think they would know if they had HIV, but like other STDs, HIV often shows no immediate symptoms. An estimated 1 in 7 people living with HIV in the U.S. does not know it. Left untreated, HIV can cause serious harm.

With ongoing care and treatment, people with HIV can live normal, healthy lives. And, there are more options than ever to prevent HIV, including PrEP, a pill that protects against HIV. For people living with HIV, the medications used to keep people healthy also prevent passing the virus to others.

A health care provider can advise how often you should be tested for HIV, as well as other STDs. Women who are considering pregnancy, or are pregnant, should be tested as part of prenatal care. Treatment can prevent passing HIV to the baby.

Find free and low cost testing locations near you with this easy-to-use ZIP Code locator.

See: How often should I get tested for HIV?

CDC, HIV Basics,Testing. October 2018.

While HIV testing is recommended as a part of routine health care, that doesn’t mean it automatically happens. To know for sure, ask your health care provider to be tested and then follow up for the results. They can also advise on how frequently you should be tested.

Annual testing may be recommended depending on your risk. Some populations have been more affected by HIV than others. In these cases, more frequent HIV testing, every 3-4 months, may be recommended.

Women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy should get tested as early as possible. Treatment can prevent passing HIV to the baby.

Find free and low cost testing locations near you with this easy-to-use ZIP-code locator.

CDC, HIV Basics, Testing. October 2018.

HIV tests look for antibodies that result after infection. It can take three to 12 weeks (maybe longer) after exposure before HIV antibodies are detected by a test. During this time, sometimes called a “window period,” you still could pass HIV to others, even if you have an initial negative test result. For this reason, your healthcare provider may suggest you come back to be retested.

If you think you have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, talk to your health care provider about post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) right away.

There are different types of tests for HIV, including rapid tests that give results in under 20 minutes and some in as fast as one minute. A positive rapid HIV test will require a follow up blood draw for confirmation. These results are typically sent to a lab for analysis. How long it takes to get a result depends on the lab. If you are within the window period, whatever test you use and whatever result you get will require reconfirmation.

Talk with your health care provider about your situation and the window period for the HIV test you are taking to find out if re-testing is recommended.

See: What is PEP?

CDC, HIV Basics, Testing. October 2018.

There are several different ways to be tested for HIV. Some tests use blood, and others test cells inside the mouth. HIV blood tests may be a finger stick or a draw from the inner arm. Oral HIV tests use a swab of the mouth.

If you have a preference for the type of test, ask your health care provider. At-home HIV test kits are also available for sale in many drug stores.

See: How long does it take to get HIV test results?

Some testing locations, including at-home tests, provide initial results of HIV tests in under 20 minutes, with some as fast as one minute. These are referred to as rapid HIV tests.

Others may require a few weeks to get back results from the lab. If you have a preference for the type of test, ask your health care provider what they offer.

Free and low cost HIV testing is available in most locations across the U.S.

Most insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare, cover HIV testing in full. If you are paying out-of-pocket the cost can vary at different locations.

Click here to find free or low cost HIV testing near you.

HIV testing is available in most doctor’s offices and health clinics, including Planned Parenthood.

If you don’t have a regular health care provider, click here to find HIV testing near you, including free testing.

When you donate blood in the U.S., your blood is tested for HIV and other infections before it enters the blood supply. As a result, the U.S. has one of the safest blood supplies in the world today. However, blood donation is not a reliable or recommended way to learn your HIV status. Blood donation is not intended as a replacement for an HIV test.

Click here to find HIV testing near you, including free HIV testing.

If your HIV test comes back positive, a follow-up test will be conducted. If the follow-up test is also positive, it means you are living with HIV.

It is important that you start medical care and begin HIV treatment as soon as you are diagnosed with HIV, even if you don’t feel sick.

Antiretrovirals (ARVs) are prescribed medications used to treat HIV. A person diagnosed with HIV on ongoing treatment and in medical care can live a normal, healthy lifespan. In addition to improving health, ARVs also prevent the spread of the virus.

ARVs are recommended for all people with HIV, regardless of how long they’ve had the virus or how healthy they are. To get the full health and preventive benefits of ARVs, it is important to stay connected to medical care and continue to take medications every day as prescribed.

Click here to learn more about HIV treatment.

HHS, Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in HIV-1-Infected Adults and Adolescents: Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy. October 2017.
CDC, HIV Basics, Testing. October 2018.

If you don’t have HIV, the goal is to stay that way. There are more options than ever to prevent infection.

For people who do not have HIV who want added protection, PrEP is a prescription pill that keeps HIV from taking hold in the body. When taken every day, PrEP has been shown to be highly effective in protecting against infection.

Condoms are a non-medication means of protection that are readily available. When used consistently and correctly, condoms are highly effective in protecting against HIV, as well as many other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). There are also condoms specifically designed for women. Like male condoms, female condoms are a barrier method of protection. Female condoms are inserted into the vagina.

If your HIV test results are within a window period when you might have been exposed, it is possible that it is too early for the test to detect HIV. Your health care provider can advise on whether re-testing is necessary and how often you should be tested going forward.

See: How soon does a test detect HIV?
See:  How often should I get tested?

CDC, HIV Basics, Testing. October 2018.
CDC, HIV Basics, Prevention. January 2019.

There are different tests for different STDs, and some STDs, including HIV, have different types of tests available. Some may use a blood draw, otherwise may test urine. Sometimes a physical exam is required.

Also there is no such thing as an “everything” test. Just having your blood drawn does not mean you are being tested for STDs. If you want to be screened for a specific STD, ask to be tested.

Click here for a complete overview of the testing available for different STDs.