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Get Tested for HIV

Even though there's no cure for HIV, it's important to get tested for it. If you find out that you have HIV, there are drugs that can slow down the progress of the virus, help you feel better if you have health problems from HIV, and keep you from getting some HIV infections. If you are pregnant, you also will be able to help prevent passing HIV to your baby. You can tell your sexual partners if you have HIV and protect them from getting the virus. Click here to find out how to take steps to prevent passing the virus to others.

When you have HIV, your body makes antibodies (disease-fighting proteins) to fight the virus. The tests for HIV do not look for the virus, but actually measure these antibodies. There are several types of HIV tests:

Blood. This is the most common test. Blood is drawn to find the antibodies your body makes to fight HIV. The results are usually available between a few days and two weeks.

Urine. The patient gives a urine (pee) sample to find the antibodies in your urine. The results are usually available between a few days and two weeks.

Oral (mouth). You put a pad between your cheek and gum for two to five minutes. It finds the antibodies in the blood vessels in your cheek and gum. It is sent to a lab for results and you'll receive the results in 5 to 7 days.

Rapid tests. These are tests that give you results quickly. There are 2 types: blood tests and oral (mouth) tests. For the blood test, blood is taken from your finger, and you can get your results in 20 to 60 minutes. For the oral test, a pad is used to swab your gums. Results are ready in 20 minutes. Tests approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are OraQuick Rapid HIV-1 Antibody Test, OraQuick(R) Rapid HIV Antibody Test for use with oral fluid, Reveal HIV-1 Antibody Test, and Single Use Diagnostic System for HIV-1.

Home Access test. You place drops of blood from you finger onto a card. You then mail the card to the lab. You receive a number that you use to call for results. There is only one home test approved by the FDA: Home Access Express HIV-1 Test System. It takes three to seven days to get test results.

There are many places to get tested: freestanding HIV testing centers, health departments, hospitals, private doctors' offices, and clinics. To find a testing site in your area, call the CDC National AIDS hotline at 800-342-AIDS (2437) or go to http://ask.hrsa.gov/pc. There are also tests that you can find on the Internet and take by yourself at home. However, the FDA has not approved any of these HIV test kits you use at home. Many of these tests give the wrong results.

If you're concerned about giving your name, you can get tested without giving your name. This is called "anonymous" testing. When you get an anonymous HIV test at a testing site, they record a number or code with the test result, not your name. A counselor gives you this number at the time you take the test. Then you return to the testing site or call and give them your number or code to learn the result of your test.

If you get the test from your doctor, you can ask that the information be confidential. This means the results may be shared only with people allowed to see your medical records. With confidential testing, state health departments may also have access to your test results.

Last Updated: August 2004

Please use the following resources for more information about testing for HIV:

Publications

1. 50 State Comparisons - HIV Reporting Policy (Copyright © KFF) - This on-line publication displays a color-coded map to illustrate the differences in states' mandatory name reporting requirements for HIV-positive test results.
   
   
2.   Frequently Asked Questions About HIV and HIV Testing - This publication answers common questions about the HIV test, how it's administered, what the results mean, and it reviews important issues you should think about when you do get tested.
   
   
3. HIV Testing Fact Sheet (Copyright © KFF) - This fact sheet discusses the type of facilities where people can be tested, the differences between anonymous and confidential testing, and four common types of tests ELISA, oral HIV tests, home HIV test kits, and the rapid HIV test.
   
   
4. National HIV Testing Day (Copyright © NAPWA) - The National HIV Testing Day campaign encourages Americans to get tested for HIV. This web site and provides helpful information on how and where to get tested.
   
   
5.   National HIV Testing Resources - This web site contains useful information and resources on HIV testing, including a national database of HIV testing sites, Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) on HIV/AIDS and HIV Testing, resources for people who test positive for HIV, basic information about HIV and AIDS, behaviors that place a person at risk for HIV infection and what the testing experience is like, and Information on upcoming events related to HIV testing.
   
   

Organizations

1.   CDC National Prevention Information Network
   
   
2.   Divisions of HIV/AIDS Prevention, NCHSTP, CDC, OPHS, HHS
   
   
3. National Association of People with AIDS
   
   

= Indicates Federal Resources

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