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Getting Tested Hero Image
Getting Tested Hero Image

[+] GETTING 
TESTED

If you don’t know your status or you want to help someone else get tested, you'll find useful information below. 

If you test negative, this may be a good time to learn more about preventing HIV with PrEP. 

WHY SHOULD YOU 
GET TESTED?

HIV

It’s the only way to know for sure if you are HIV-positive.

If you're positive, there are treatment options available.

Knowing can also help you prevent HIV from spreading by taking protective actions.

Who should get
tested? Everyone.

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 be tested for HIV at least once. Talk to your healthcare provider about how often you should be tested.

Even if you don't think you're at risk or you’re not showing signs or symptoms, consider getting tested as part of your annual physical exam. You may be right, but why not know your status for sure?

How can you
get tested?

There are a lot of ways to get the test done. Here are just a few: 

  • Ask a healthcare provider or hospital for an HIV test
  • Search local clinics or community health centers for free testing services
  • Use a home HIV test that you can find in most pharmacies or online

An Estimated
158,500 people with HIV
had 
not been diagnosed.*

*As of 2019.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov.

IF YOUR TEST COMES BACK NEGATIVE

There are still some things you should do:

STEP 1

Ask your healthcare provider if you should be tested again and how frequently.

STEP 2

Ask your partner(s) to get tested too, so you know their status.

STEP 3

Make HIV testing a regular part of how you stay healthy.

STEP 4

Talk to your healthcare provider about preventing HIV with PrEP.

PrEP SPOTLIGHT

Sometimes life doesn't go as planned. A condom can break, a partner may step out, or in the heat of the moment using protection may fall by the wayside. These are all reasons why you might want to add PrEP to your safe sex practices. Here's what you should know:

PrEP (or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a medication used to help prevent you from getting HIV. Using PrEP can help reduce your risk of getting HIV if a condom breaks, isn't used correctly, or isn’t used the whole time. However, PrEP does not protect against other STIs.

PrEP helps prevent HIV. Learn more about a PrEP option here.

YOU MIGHT 
WANT TO
CONSIDER PrEP
IF YOU ARE
HIV-NEGATIVE AND:

Are an adult or adolescent who:

  • has been sexually active in the last 6 months
  • sometimes has sex without a condom
  • has had an STI in the past 6 months, OR
  • has a partner with HIV—especially if they are unsure of or have a detectable viral load
Be a test friend

BE A TEST FRIEND 

One of the best things you can do for your friends is encourage them to get tested, too. When they get tested, go with them to help provide support.

Getting Test Results

Find HIV resources in your area.

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