HIV Testing

 

If you have HIV, you can take care of yourself. Talk to a healthcare provider. Starting HIV treatment right away is one of the most important steps you can take. That’s because HIV damages your immune system by raising your viral load and lowering your CD4 count.

4 Reasons Why You Should Get Tested for STDs

  1. Today’s guidelines say that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 should get tested for HIV, gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia.

  2. The majority of STDs either do not produce any symptoms or signs, or they produce symptoms so mild that they are unnoticed; consequently, many infected persons do not know that they need medical care.

  3. Testing is the only way to know if you have HIV.

  4. No matter what your test results are, you can take steps to help protect your health.

 

How often should you get tested?

Just getting tested once may not be enough. National guidelines from the CDC and other groups recommend retesting at least once a year for anyone at higher risk for getting an STD including:

  • Men who have sex with men.

  • People with more than 1 sexual partner.

  • People with anonymous sexual partners.

  • Those who already have an STD.

The CDC also suggested regular testing for some sexually active gay and bisexual men. About every 3 to 6 months.

STDs such as HIV, gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia are preventable. If you are diagnosed with an STD, know that all can be treated with medicine and some can be cured entirely.

 

3 Reasons to get TESTED & Retested FOR HIV

  1. You should get retested if you have had anal or vaginal sex without a condom, or if you have shared injection drug equipment with someone who has HIV.

  2. The CDC suggests retesting because of the “window period.” This is the length of time between exposure to HIV and when HIV shows up on a test. This can take up to three months. So if you test result is negative, protect yourself and get retested after three months.

  3. Retesting can help you feel more confident about your health.

  4. In the U.S., for every 7 people who have HIV, one person does not know it.

You should get tested or retested if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

 

HIV Treatment Has Come a Long Way

When compared to those first used to treat HIV, today’s treatments:

-Are more effective and easier to take.

-Are often between one and three pills per day.

-Have fewer and less severe side effects.

 

Find a testing location near you

Outside of the Maryland and D.C. area? Find free, fast, and confidential testing near you.