Talking About HIV Testing on National HIV Testing Day
National HIV Testing Day is June 27 – do you know your HIV status?
Everyone should talk about HIV testing. The more we all talk about HIV testing, the more comfortable everyone will feel about doing it.
Should You Get an HIV Test?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care.
People at higher risk for HIV should get tested more often.
Are you at higher risk for HIV?
According to the CDC, you should get an HIV test as soon as possible if you were HIV-negative the last time you were tested, the test was more than one year ago, and can answer yes to any of the following questions:
- Are you a man who has had sex with another man?
- Have you had sex—anal or vaginal—with a partner who has HIV?
- Have you had more than one sex partner since your last HIV test?
- Have you injected drugs and shared needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment (for example, cookers) with others?
- Have you exchanged sex for drugs or money?
- Have you been diagnosed with or treated for another sexually transmitted disease?
- Have you been diagnosed with or treated for hepatitis or tuberculosis (TB)?
- Have you had sex with someone who could answer yes to any of the above questions or someone whose sexual history you don’t know?
You should get an HIV test at least once a year if you keep doing any of the things.
Who Should You Talk To About Getting an HIV Test?
There are at least three people you can talk to about getting an HIV test.
- A medical provider. Time matters with HIV. The sooner you get tested, the sooner you know your status and get the treatment you need to stay healthy. If you need a medical provider, you can find a Harbor Health location near you at hhsi.us/location
- An HIV prevention specialist. An HIV prevention specialist can talk with you about options for testing and help connect you to care. Harbor Health’s prevention team can also help answer your questions about HIV risk factors and what is involved with an HIV rapid test – just call (617) 533-2228!
- Your partner. While it is very important to have conversations with your partner about safer sex and healthy relationships, it can be hard to do! Find ways to start talking at cdc.gov/stophivtogether/hiv-prevention/convo.html
Are There Different kinds of HIV Tests?
You can find more information about the different options for HIV tests from the CDC at:
English: cdc.gov/hiv/basics/testing.html
Español: cdc.gov/hiv/spanish/basics/testing.html
You can also watch the video below for more information about HIV testing options.
Where Can You Get An HIV Test?
Find a location near you by putting in your zip code.
Everyone Should Be Doing It!
Watch the videos below to learn why people of all ages and backgrounds are getting tested.