HIV Testing Near Me: Three Types of HIV Tests
HIV testing helps manage your health and keep people you love safe. The CDC states that everyone ages 13–64 should get tested for HIV at least once in their lifetime. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus and can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Some tests take as little as twenty minutes. To find a testing site near you, you can visit the CDC HIV Resources, or if you live in Mendocino County, you can schedule an appointment with the Long Valley Health Center through either your primary care doctor or your women's health provider.
Testing helps you know your status, receive treatment if needed, and stay safe.
Three Types of HIV Tests
HIV tests can be performed on blood, urine, or oral fluid. The window period for each test is slightly different. No test can detect HIV immediately after exposure. To stay safe, talk to your primary care doctor and order the correct test.
The three types of HIV tests are:
an antibody test
an antigen/antibody test
a nucleic acid test (NAT)
Many HIV self-tests are antibody tests and usually provide results within 20 minutes and have a window period of 13–90 days after exposure to HIV. Antigen/antibody test results can be ready in 30 minutes and have a window period of 18–90 days. Nucleic acid tests have the lowest window period of 10–33 days after exposure and take several days to receive results.
To schedule an HIV test at Long Valley Health Center call us at (707) 984 - 6131