HIV Testing
Confidential. Accurate. Supportive Care.
The only way to know your HIV status is through testing. HIV can be prevented through safe practices, including condoms, PrEP, PEP, and not sharing needles. With proper treatment, people with HIV can live long, healthy lives and prevent transmission to others.
Get Tested for HIV
Everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 should get tested for HIV at least once. Knowing your status helps protect your health and the health of your partner(s).
Schedule HIV Testing
What Is HIV?
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) attacks the body's immune system. Without treatment, HIV can progress to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). There is currently no cure for HIV. Once a person has HIV, it remains in the body for life. However, with proper medical care, the virus can be controlled, allowing people with HIV to live healthy lives and protect their partners.
Symptoms of HIV
Many people experience flu-like symptoms within 2 to 4 weeks after infection, including fever, fatigue, sore throat, and swollen glands. Some people have no symptoms at all. Testing is the only way to know your HIV status.
How HIV Is Spread
HIV is most commonly spread through anal or vaginal sex, and sharing needles or injection equipment. Only certain body fluids can transmit HIV: blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and rectal fluids.
HIV Prevention
Prevention strategies include using condoms correctly, never sharing needles, using PrEP or PEP, and getting tested regularly. If you have HIV, staying on effective treatment helps prevent transmission to others.
Testing
The only way to know your HIV status is to get tested. There are many testing options that are quick, confidential, and painless.
- If your test result is positive, treatment can help you live a long, healthy life and protect others.
- If your test result is negative, you can take steps to stay HIV-free.
Get tested for HIV: Everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 should get tested for HIV at least once.
Treatment
HIV treatment, also called antiretroviral therapy (ART), involves taking medication as prescribed by a healthcare provider. Treatment should begin as soon as possible after diagnosis.
HIV treatment:
- Reduces the amount of virus in the blood (viral load)
- Can lower viral load to undetectable levels
- Prevents HIV transmission through sex when viral load is undetectable
- Reduces the risk of transmission during pregnancy, delivery, and needle sharing
UNDETECTABLE = UNTRANSMITTABLE
Getting and keeping an undetectable viral load is the best thing you can do to stay healthy.
How HIV Progresses
Without treatment, HIV can progress through three stages. Treatment can slow or prevent disease progression.
High levels of HIV in the blood, very contagious, flu-like symptoms are common. Testing is strongly recommended if exposure is suspected.
Also called clinical latency. HIV remains active but may cause no symptoms. People can still transmit HIV. With treatment, this stage can last indefinitely.
The most advanced stage of HIV. Severe damage to the immune system. Diagnosed when CD4 count falls below 200 or serious infections develop.
Take Control of Your Health. HIV testing and prevention save lives. Early testing, treatment, and prevention tools make it possible to live a healthy life and protect others.