Why get tested for HIV?

reasons why you
should get tested

Today's guidelines
say that everyone
between the ages of
13 and 64 should
get tested for HIV

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

Testing is the
only way to
know if you
have HIV

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

Who Should Get Tested?
Everyone.

Everyone between the ages of
13 and 64 should get tested for
HIV at least once.

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 HIV including:

Men who have sex with men
People with more than 1 sexual partner
Transgender people who have sex with men

People who have recently had an STI
People who use injection drugs

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

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

Your sexual network may also
put you at higher risk for HIV.

3 REASONS TO
GET RETESTED

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 your test result is negative, protect yourself and get retested after three months.

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

Have more questions about
testing guidelines? Talk to a
healthcare provider.

You can also get
answers from the CDC.

WHERE TO GET TESTED

You can ask a healthcare provider for an HIV test. Or you can visit a clinic, hospital,
or community health center. Discuss your results, positive or negative, with a
healthcare provider.

Many testing centers offer drop-in service and free HIV testing. Here is where to find one near you.

What Your Test Results Mean

IF YOU DO HAVE HIV, find a healthcare provider to talk to. Resources and medicines are available to help you treat HIV. Starting and staying on treatment can help you live a longer and healthier life.

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE HIV, you can stay that way. Use condoms and practice safer sex to help protect yourself. Talk to your partners about their test results. Never share needles. Get retested regularly. And ask a healthcare provider about all the ways you can prevent HIV.

HIV & AIDS: What's the Difference?

HIV IS A VIRUS

Weakens the immune system
and causes inflammation and damage inside the body

Makes it harder for the body
to fight off diseases

When left untreated, HIV can
eventually lead to AIDS

AIDS IS A DISEASE

The most advanced stage of HIV infection

Occurs when a person's immune
system is badly damaged

Makes it easier for you to become extremely sick

Makes it difficult for the body to fight off certain cancers and infections

HIV Can Lead to AIDS,

But It Does Not Have to Happen.

If you have HIV, take care of yourself. Talk to a healthcare provider.
There is no cure for HIV, but starting and sticking to treatment can help stop the virus in your body.

3 ways treatment can help