Should you get tested for HIV? The CDC recommends that everybody from age 13 to 64 get tested for HIV at least once, just as part of your routine health care. Did you know that around 1 out of 7 people in the US who have HIV don’t know they have it? However, those that are at higher risk should get tested more often.

 

How can testing help you? Knowing your status gives you the knowledge and power to take the appropriate steps to keep yourself and your partner healthy. If you test positive, you can take medicine to treat HIV and prevent it’s transmission to others. If you’re pregnant, testing can help determine whether you need to start treatment. When HIV-positive women are treated early in their pregnancies, the risk of transmitting HIV to the baby is very low.

 

Where can you get tested? Ask your health care provider for an HIV test. Medical clinics, substance abuse programs, community health centers, and hospitals offer testing, as well. Additionally, you can find a testing site in your area by either:

 

• calling 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636)
• visiting gettested.cdc.gov, or
• texting your ZIP Code to KNOW IT (566948)