When Should You Take an HIV Antibody Test?

HIV testing is an important part of staying healthy and taking control of your sexual health. Knowing your HIV status can help you make informed decisions about your health and take steps to protect yourself and your partners. Taking an HIV antibody test is the most accurate way to know if you have HIV, so it's important to understand when you should get tested.

What Is an HIV Antibody Test?

An HIV antibody test is a test that detects the presence of antibodies to HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Antibodies are proteins that your body produces when it is exposed to a virus, bacteria, or other foreign substance. When you are exposed to HIV, your body produces antibodies to help fight the virus. An HIV antibody test can detect these antibodies in your blood or oral fluid.

When Should You Get Tested?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all adults between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once. If you're at high risk of infection, you should get tested more frequently. You may be at higher risk of HIV infection if you:

Get Your Answers: When to Test

Find out more

in length. "Know When to Test: HIV Antibody Test

Have had unprotected sex with multiple partners
Have had a recent sexually transmitted infection (STI)
Inject drugs or share needles with others
Have been diagnosed with hepatitis or tuberculosis
Are a man who has sex with men
Have had a sexual partner who is HIV-positive or has had multiple sex partners

If you're pregnant, it's important to get tested for HIV right away. Early diagnosis and treatment of HIV can help protect your health and the health of your baby.

How Often Should You Get Tested?

If you're not at high risk for HIV, the CDC recommends that you get tested at least once a year. If you are at high risk for HIV, you should get tested at least every three to six months. It's also a good idea to get tested if you have a new sexual partner, if you've had unprotected sex, or if you've shared needles.

What Is the HIV Antibody Test Like?

The HIV antibody test is a simple blood test that can be done in a doctor's office, a clinic, or at a testing site. Most tests take less than 30 minutes and are completely confidential. Some tests may require that you provide a sample of saliva or urine instead of blood. Your results will be available in a few days.

Schedule a HIV Test Now

What Do the Results Mean?

If your test is positive, it means that you have been infected with HIV. It does not mean that you have AIDS. If your test is negative, it means that you have not been infected with HIV. It's important to note that it can take up to three months after exposure for the test to detect HIV antibodies, so if you have been recently exposed to HIV, you should get tested again in three months.

Where Can I Get Tested?

You can get tested for HIV at your doctor's office, a clinic, or a testing site. You can also find free or low-cost testing sites in your area by visiting gettested.cdc.gov. It's important to remember that HIV testing is confidential, so no one will know your results unless you choose to share them.

Conclusion

HIV antibody testing is an important part of staying healthy and taking control of your sexual health. Knowing your HIV status can help you make informed decisions about your health and take steps to protect yourself and your partners. The CDC recommends that all adults between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once, and those at high risk should get tested more frequently. HIV testing is available at your doctor's office, a clinic, or a testing site. Remember, HIV testing is confidential, so no one will know your results unless you choose to share them.