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HIV Testing

Make HIV testing a regular health check. Getting tested helps prevent transmission between you and your sex partners. An HIV test is the only way to know if you or a partner has HIV. If you have HIV, testing is the first step to get you the treatment you need to live a long and healthy life.

Where to Get Tested

HIV testing is available at no or low cost in NYC.

  • Ask your health care provider for an HIV test.
  • Visit an NYC Sexual Health Clinic. Anyone 12 or older can get an HIV test without their parent or guardian’s permission.
  • Find HIV testing by using the NYC Health Map, calling 311, or texting “TESTNYC” to 55676.

Testing is available at medical clinics, hospitals, commercial laboratories, community organizations, and community events.

You can also test yourself at home. Get a free HIV self-test kit through Community Home Test Giveaway partners listed on the NYC Health Map.

When to Get Tested

If you are sexually active, get tested at least once a year for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

You may benefit from testing every 3 to 6 months if you have sex with multiple partners or have a partner who has HIV. Talk to your health care provider about how often you should get tested.

To stay safe, get tested before you have sex with a new partner, and ask your partner when they last got tested.

If you inject drugs, get regular testing for HIV and hepatitis C.

Options for HIV Testing

There are several types of HIV tests. If you think you were recently exposed to HIV, talk to your health care provider about which test is right for you and when you should be tested.

The different ways to test for HIV include:

  • Laboratory blood tests, which use blood from a vein and provide results within a few days
    • Antigen-antibody tests are most commonly used. Viral load tests may be used when a very recent HIV infection is suspected.
  • Rapid finger-stick blood tests, which use blood from your finger and provide results in as little as 60 seconds
  • Rapid oral swab tests, which use oral fluid from your mouth and provide results in as little as 20 minutes

Understanding HIV Test Timing

After someone gets HIV, it takes time before a test can detect the infection. The time between HIV exposure and when a test can detect an HIV infection is called the window period. If you test too soon after exposure, your test result may be negative even if you have HIV.

  • Laboratory blood tests (viral load tests) can detect an HIV infection 10 to 33 days after exposure.
  • Laboratory blood tests (antigen-antibody tests) can detect an HIV infection 18 to 45 days after exposure.
  • Rapid finger-stick and rapid oral swab tests can detect an HIV infection 23 to 90 days after exposure.

To know that a negative test result means you do not have HIV:

  • Get a laboratory viral load test 33 days or more after your last possible exposure.
  • Get a laboratory antigen-antibody blood test 45 days or more after your last possible exposure.
  • Get a rapid finger-stick or rapid oral swab test 90 days or more after your last possible exposure. Because of their longer window period, rapid tests require a longer wait after exposure before a negative result can confirm you do not have HIV.

Signs and Symptoms of a New HIV Infection

A new HIV infection can cause signs and symptoms similar to a cold or flu, including fever, swollen glands, or a rash. If you develop these symptoms after a possible exposure to HIV:

  • Visit your health care provider and tell them you are concerned about HIV, not just a cold or flu.
  • Ask about viral load testing for a very recent (“acute”) HIV infection.
  • Avoid having sex until you visit your health care provider.
    • People with a new HIV infection have a very high level of virus in their body, making it easier to pass HIV to others through sex.

After Testing, Protect Yourself and Your Partners

If you test negative for HIV, you can discuss options for HIV prevention with your provider. PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is safe and effective medicine that prevents HIV. Condoms prevent HIV, other STIs, and pregnancy.

If you test positive for HIV, start HIV treatment right away to stay healthy and prevent passing HIV to your partners. People who take HIV treatment and have an undetectable viral load cannot pass HIV to others through sex.

If You May Have Recently Been Exposed to HIV

PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is emergency medicine that can prevent a new HIV infection if started within 72 hours after a possible exposure. To start PEP right away, go to an emergency room or call the NYC 24/7 PEP Hotline at 844-3-PEPNYC (844-373-7692).

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