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What Do Your HIV Test Results Mean? If you’ve just had an HIV test, you may be wondering what a positive or negative test result means. If you were tested in a health care provider’s office, a clinic, or a community setting, the provider or testing counselor will explain what your result means and talk to you about the next steps.
If you’re looking for information on HIV tests to find out your HIV status, please visit our page HIV Testing Overview. Use our HIV Testing and Care Services Locator to find a testing site near you.
Your test results depend on the type of HIV test and where you get tested. With a rapid antibody test, usually done with blood from a finger stick or with oral fluid, results are ready in 30 minutes or less. This includes HIV self-tests used at home or in a private location.
The only FDA-approved at-home test is OraQuick®, a rapid HIV test that checks for HIV antibodies. To use it, you swab your upper and lower gums to collect a sample of oral fluid. You place the swab in a vial that shows a positive or negative result (similar to a pregnancy test).
There are two basic ways to get HIV test results: Laboratory tests. For these tests, a technician takes a sample of your blood and tests it. You’ll get results within a few days. Rapid tests....
Understanding Your HIV Test Results. LET’S STOP HIV TOGETHER. Knowing your HIV status empowers you to take steps to keep you and your partner(s) healthy. This brochure will help you understand your HIV test results and provides tips on what you should do after receiving your results. Learn more at: cdc.gov/StopHIVTogether.
An HIV self-test is done entirely at home or in a private location, and you can get your test results within 20 minutes. You can buy an HIV self-test at a pharmacy or online. Or you can order a free HIV self-test through CDC’s Together Take Me Home initiative, subject to availability.
Most HIV screening tests look for HIV antigen (part of the HIV virus) or for HIV antibodies (produced by the person's body), or may look for both. Newer testing strategies use a combination antigen/antibody test.
This article details what tests are available, how accurate the tests are, how the tests are performed, and what to expect if you test positive for HIV. It also looks at gaps in testing among people living with HIV.
Confidential testing means that your HIV test results will include your name and other identifying information, and the results will be included in your medical record. HIV-positive test results will be reported to local or state health departments to be counted in statistical reports.