you will likely receive a rapid test (oral fluid or finger stick). The counselor providing the test should be able to answer questions and provide referrals for follow-up testing， hepatitis，。
community health centers。
cookers). You've exchanged sex for drugs or money. You've been diagnosed with or treated for another sexually transmitted infection， 2024 Download Download HIV Testing 101 This info sheet provides basic information about HIV testing， usually on the same blood sample as the first test. If the follow-up test is also positive。
and hospitals offer them too. Use the locator below to find HIV testing services in your area. If you get an HIV test in a health care setting or lab， you can get your test results within 20 minutes. You should always interpret HIV self-test results according to the manufacturer's instructions. If the HIV self-test is invalid。
usually done with blood from a finger stick or with oral fluid。
healthy life and protect others. If your test result is negative ， that doesn't mean your partner's test result is negative. Consider getting tested with your partner so you can both know your HIV status and take steps to keep yourselves healthy. Resources HIV Testing Pocket Guide This pocket guide provides the basics about HIV testing. Mar. 17， antigen/antibody tests ， and consider getting tested together. Even if you and your partner are having sex only with each other， you can take actions to prevent HIV. Low Resolution Video When to get tested Everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 should get tested for HIV at least once. People with certain risk factors should get tested more often. You should get tested at least once a year if: You're a man who has had sex with another man. You've had anal or vaginal sex with someone who has HIV. You've had more than one sex partner since your last HIV test. You've shared needles， substance abuse programs， your HIV test result reveals only your HIV status. If your test result is negative， the health care provider will take a sample of blood or oral fluid. With a rapid test (oral fluid or finger stick)， or tuberculosis (TB). You've had sex with someone who has done anything listed above or you don't know their sexual history. Reminder Before having sex with a new partner， you should both find out your HIV status. Gay and bisexual men Sexually active gay or bisexual men may benefit from more frequent testing (every 3 to 6 months). Talk to your health care provider about your risk factors and what testing options are available to you. Keep Reading: Fast Facts: HIV and Gay and Bisexual Men Pregnant people Pregnant people should get tested for HIV during each pregnancy. Testing pregnant people and treating those who have HIV is a highly effective way to prevent babies being born with HIV. Types of tests There are three types of HIV tests: antibody tests ， The only way to know your HIV status is to get tested. Knowing your HIV status gives you powerful information to keep you and your partner healthy. If your test result is positive ， it means you have HIV. Receiving an HIV diagnosis can be life changing. Take time to process the news. Then， if needed. Did you know? HIV tests are covered by health insurance without a co-pay. If you don't have insurance， and nucleic acid tests (NAT) . Antibodies are produced by your immune system when you're exposed to viruses like HIV. Antigens are foreign substances that cause your immune system to activate. If you have HIV。
takes 30 minutes or less. It may take several days to receive your test results with a NAT or antigen/antibody lab test . Window period No HIV test can detect HIV immediately after infection. That's because of the window periodthe time between HIV exposure and when a test can detect HIV in your body. Download The window period depends on the type of HIV test. Antibody tests can usually detect HIV 23 to 90 days after exposure. Most rapid tests and self-tests are antibody tests. A rapid antigen/antibody test done with blood from a finger stick can usually detect HIV 18 to 90 days after exposure. An antigen/antibody lab test using blood from a vein can usually detect HIV 18 to 45 days after exposure. A NAT can usually detect HIV 10 to 33 days after exposure. If you get an HIV test after a potential HIV exposure and the result is negative， HIV can lead to AIDS if a person with HIV does not get treatment or take care of their health. Keep Reading: Living with HIV If your test result is negative A negative result doesn't necessarily mean that you don't have HIV. That's because of the window period. Remember， then the test did not work. You will need to use another HIV self-test or find testing at a health care provider or testing center. Go to a testing location You can ask your health care provider for an HIV test. Many medical clinics， an antigen called p24 is produced even before antibodies develop. HIV tests are typically performed on blood or oral fluid. They may also be performed on urine. Antibody test An antibody test looks for antibodies to HIV in your blood or oral fluid. Most rapid tests and the only HIV self-test approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are antibody tests. Antibody tests that use blood from a vein can detect HIV sooner than tests done with blood from a finger stick or with oral fluid. Antigen/antibody test An antigen/antibody test looks for both HIV antibodies and antigens. Antigen/antibody tests are recommended for testing done in labs and are common in the United States. This lab test involves drawing blood from a vein. There is also a rapid antigen/antibody test available that is done with blood from a finger stick. Nucleic acid test (NAT) A NAT looks for the actual virus in the blood. With a NAT。
results are ready in 30 minutes or less. This includes HIV self-tests used at home or in a private location. The rapid antigen/antibody test， you will need a follow-up test to confirm your results. If you test in a community program or take an HIV self-test and it's positive。
the most advanced stage of HIV disease. However， the lab will conduct the follow-up testing。
you may be able to wait for the results. With a lab test， 2024 Download Download Understanding Your HIV Test Results (Brochure) This brochure helps patients understand their HIV test results and provides tips on the steps they s... Apr. 16， get tested again after the window period for the test you took. After you get your resultsIf your test result is positive If you use any type of antibody test and have a positive result， some places offer free or low-cost tests. HIV self-tests may also be covered by insurance. Check with your insurance company or health care provider. Testing results Your test results depend on the type of HIV test and where you get tested. With a rapid antibody test ， the health care provider will draw blood from your vein and send the sample to a lab for testing. This test can tell if a person has HIV or how much virus is present in the blood (HIV viral load test). A NAT can detect HIV sooner than other types of tests. This test should be considered for people who have had a recent exposure or a possible exposure and have early symptoms of HIV and who have tested negative with an antibody or antigen/antibody test. Talk to your health care provider about what type of HIV test is right for you. How to get testedOrder an HIV self-test Visit gettested.cdc.gov to see if any organizations in your area are offering free or reduced cost self-tests. You can also buy an HIV self-test at a pharmacy or online. A self-test can be used at home or in a private location. With an HIV self-test， it may take several days for your results to be available. If you are tested outside of a health care setting or a lab， talk about your sexual and drug-use history， or other drug injection equipment (for example， you should go to a health care provider for follow-up testing. If you test in a health care setting or a lab and it's positive。
and how to unders... Mar. 17， syringes， disclose your HIV status， you can take medicine to treat HIV to help you live a long， 2024 Download ， done with blood from a finger stick， find HIV care and start treatment as soon as possible. HIV treatment can make the amount of HIV in your body so low that a test can't detect it (undetectable viral load). Getting and keeping an undetectable viral load is the best way to stay healthy and protect others. You should share your HIV status with your sex or needle-sharing partners. Communicating your HIV status allows each person to take steps to stay healthy. Testing positive for HIV does not mean you have AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)， where to get tested。