HIV Testing

Everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 should be tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) at least once. Those at higher risk should get tested at least annually. We recommend HIV testing whenever you have a new sexual partner, if you’ve contracted another sexually transmitted disease, or if you’re engaging in high-risk activities such as sharing needles or syringes with others.

The quickest HIV test is an over-the-counter test that provides results in 20 minutes using a drop of blood or a swab of saliva, but these tests aren’t as dependable and require confirmation with a test done in a lab. The most dependable HIV tests are blood tests ordered by your medical provider and done in a lab. This testing should be covered by your health insurance.

Here in Mendocino County and Lake County, as in other regions, the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted many people’s routines—including access to routine health care. People delayed check-ups and testing, so it’s likely that HIV cases went undiagnosed and untreated. As with so many illnesses, the earlier HIV is diagnosed and treated, the better. People with advanced-stage HIV can get very sick, so if you’re in a high-risk group, it is important to get tested regularly.

Thankfully, even if you test positive for HIV, as long as you take your medication and follow your medical provider’s advice, HIV can be a chronic condition you can manage. People living with HIV have a similar life expectancy to HIV-negative people, and they usually die of common causes like cancer and heart disease—not complications of HIV.

Being tested for HIV demonstrates that you care about your health. HIV isn’t going away anytime soon, but it’s more manageable than ever—as long as we are all vigilant about HIV testing and treatment.