HIV Testing & Prevention
Take control of your health by knowing your status and understanding your prevention options.
Knowing Your Status is Power
Getting tested for HIV is the only way to know for sure if you have the virus. It's a critical step in protecting your health and the health of your partners.
Types of HIV Tests
Antibody Tests
These tests look for antibodies to HIV in your blood or oral fluid. Most rapid tests and at-home self-tests are antibody tests. They can take 23 to 90 days to detect HIV after exposure.
Antigen/Antibody Tests
These tests look for both HIV antibodies and antigens (part of the virus itself). A laboratory-based test can usually detect HIV infection 18 to 45 days after exposure.
Nucleic Acid Tests (NAT)
A NAT looks for the actual virus in the blood. It can usually detect HIV infection 10 to 33 days after exposure. This test is very sensitive but also expensive and not routinely used for screening.
Confidential At-Home HIV Testing Kits
Test in the comfort and privacy of your own home. Here are some of the top FDA-approved options we recommend.
| Test Kit | Type | Results Time | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
QuickCheck Home Test |
Oral Swab (Antibody) | 20 Minutes | $$ | Check Price |
SureResult Lab Test |
Finger Prick (Antigen/Antibody) | 2-5 Days (Lab) | $$$ | Check Price |
MyStatus Mail-in |
Finger Prick (Antibody) | 3-5 Days (Lab) | $$ | Check Price |
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Powerful HIV Prevention Tools
Today, we have more tools than ever to prevent HIV.
PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)
PrEP is a medicine people at risk for HIV take to prevent getting HIV from sex or injection drug use. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV. It is available as a daily pill or a long-acting injection.
Learn More About PrEPPEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis)
PEP is an emergency medicine taken *after* a possible exposure to HIV. PEP must be started within 72 hours (3 days) after a recent possible exposure to HIV, but the sooner you start PEP, the better. It is a 28-day course of medicine.
Learn More About PEPCondoms
Using condoms correctly every time you have sex is highly effective in preventing HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They provide a barrier that stops the exchange of infectious bodily fluids.
U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable)
People with HIV who take their medication daily as prescribed and achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load have effectively no risk of transmitting the virus to an HIV-negative partner through sex. This is a powerful message of hope and prevention.