An estimated one in four people who have HIV in the United States do not know it. For this reason, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended in 2006 that HIV testing become a part of routine medical care for everyone between the ages of 13 and 64. This still does not mean that testing is automatic when you go to the doctor, however, so if you want an HIV test, you should ask your doctor for it or find a clinic near you. Click here to find an HIV testing center near you.

If you're a woman who is pregnant or planning to become pregnant, HIV testing is very important. Currently, testing for HIV and other STDs is recommended for all women as a routine part of their prenatal care. A woman who has HIV and is pregnant can take certain drugs during pregnancy which, combined with medical care, can significantly lower the chances of passing HIV to her baby (to less than 2%).

How does an HIV test work?
Most HIV tests check for antibodies that the body produces once infected with HIV. Antibodies are proteins that the immune system produces to fight off all different kinds of infections, including HIV. If an HIV test detects HIV antibodies, a person is infected with HIV.

If antibodies are not present, a person is likely not HIV infected. But, it can take as long as 3-6 months for the body to develop enough antibodies to be measurable on a test. The time period between HIV exposure and a positive test is called the "window period," during which you could test negative for HIV but be infected with HIV and able to transmit the virus to others. Therefore, it is important to get tested (or re-tested) after a sufficient period of time has passed to know for sure.

What kind of tests are available?
There are several different types of HIV tests, but the two most common types are blood tests and oral swab tests.

HIV blood tests use a sample of blood, either from a finger prick or a larger sample often taken from the inner arm, to test for antibodies. Oral tests use a swab to collect cells from inside the mouth to test for HIV antibodies.

Traditional HIV test results can take about 1-2 weeks to come back from a lab, but rapid tests are now widely available that can provide a result in about 20 minutes. Call your doctor or your closest health clinic to find out what kinds of tests they have available. Click here to find an HIV testing center near you.

Is an HIV test part of my routine physical?
Even with the CDC's new testing guidelines, recommending that HIV testing be part of routine medical care, doctors may not offer testing for HIV (or other STDs) unless you specifically ask for it.

If you are not comfortable talking with your regular doctor about HIV and other STDs, or if you don't have a regular doctor, there are many clinics that specialize in testing. Click here to find an HIV testing center near you.

Who has access to my results?
Your HIV test results are confidential. The results will be included in your medical record, as are the results for any other type of test. If you test positive for HIV, your result will be shared with your state's health department for purposes of monitoring trends in the HIV epidemic. Also, remember that if you do test positive, it is very important for you to work closely with your doctor to get the care and treatment you need.

You can also get tested anonymously, where your name is not linked to your test results. However, anonymous testing sites are not available in all states and at all locations. Home HIV finger prick tests, which you can purchase in a drug store or online, are also anonymous.

How much does an HIV test cost?
The cost of HIV testing varies. Community clinics that offer tests for free or on a sliding scale are available in many areas. Also, the cost of an HIV test may be covered by health insurance, if you have it. Call ahead to your doctor or local clinic to find out how they charge for HIV tests, or to your health insurance provide to see if the test is covered.

What if I test positive for HIV?
With the availability of treatments today, you can lead a long and healthy life as an HIV positive person.

The most important thing to do if you test positive is to get connected with services and support as soon as possible. Advances in HIV/AIDS treatment are occurring all the time, and medical treatment and a healthy lifestyle can help you stay well much longer than in the early years of the epidemic. But, the longer you wait after testing positive to see a doctor, the greater your chance of developing serious health problems.

If you've tested positive, here are some important steps to take to protect your health:

• See a doctor, even if you don't feel sick. If possible, see a doctor who has experience treating HIV. Consulting someone about your treatment options is the first step towards staying healthy.
• Find a support system. The emotional and physical challenges ahead can be difficult, and having people around to help is important. Ask your doctor about counselors and support groups that can help you.
• Talk with your partner/s. Tell your sexual partner/s about your HIV status and make sure you reduce your risk of transmitting the virus by practicing safer sex, including using latex condoms or dental dams.

Go to these web sites for more information about what to do if you are HIV positive:
http://www.thebody.com/treat/basics.html
http://www.aidsinfo.nih.gov/
http://www.poz.com

I tested negative--now what?
The most important thing to do if you test negative is to stay negative. Use condoms each and every time you have sex-vaginal, anal, or oral-no exceptions. Get tested regularly, talk to your partners about HIV and ask that they get tested with you. You want to make sure that they know you're watching out for their health and yours. If you use needles, don't share them.