Now that you know June 27th is National HIV Testing Day you are probably thinking about getting tested. Good for you! Making HIV testing a regular part of your health care is a great way to take care of yourself. If you want to know more about HIV/AIDS, like what it is or how it is spread, you can read more here.
Things to know before you get an HIV test If you are 12 years old or older, you can give consent for an HIV test in California. The doctor or health care provider who gives you the test is not allowed to tell your parents or guardian without a signed release form from you. Learn more about your health, your rights. Know the difference between an “anonymous” and a “confidential” HIV test. For anonymous testing your name is never written on your results. If you choose anonymous testing, you will be given a number that is connected to your results. You will return in person and use your number to pick up your results. Confidential testing means that your results will go in your medical record. You and your doctor have access to your medical record. Confidential testing is more common in California. Know how long it will take to get your results. It usually takes 1-2 weeks to get your results, but many places now offer Rapid testing. With Rapid testing your results will be ready in as little as 20 minutes.
Find out more about what kinds of HIV tests are available and how they work. When you make an appointment to get an HIV test, ask how much the test will cost. Many places offer free HIV testing. Tomorrow’s blog post will talk about what to expect during your testing visit and understanding your test results. If you want to learn more now check out these HIV/AIDS resources at The Body.