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HIV Testing:
Why,
When,
Where, and
How
Why
should I get tested?
You need an HIV test if...
| ...
|
you
have ever had unprotected sex of any kind, where
body fluids may have been exchanged. |
| ...
|
you
received a blood transfusion, tissue or organ
transplant prior to 1985. |
| ...
|
you
were raped or molested. |
| ...
|
you
have ever used IV drugs with used needles, or
snorted drugs using someone else’s straw or rolled
up bill. |
| ... |
you
were involved in any situation where some one was
bleeding, like an automobile accident, emergency, or
fistfight…and you had open cuts/wounds or injury to
yourself. |
| ... |
you
have ever been blood brothers or blood sisters. |
| ... |
you
have had an unprofessional piercing or tattoo. |
| ... |
you got
a tattoo or piercing before 1985. |
When
should I get tested?
The best time to get tested is when you can abstain from all
possible methods of infection for a period of 12 weeks.
Sexually active people should be tested every 4 months
regardless of monogamy and condom use.
Where
should I get tested?
Nationwide Information on Free Anonymous Testing
Locations:
Center for Disease Control: 1-800-342-2437
National Choice HOT LINE: 215-731-TEEN
Pennsylvania Information on Free Anonymous Testing
Locations:
Pennsylvania Department of Health:
1-800-662-6080.
CLICK HERE
Philadelphia Area
Community AIDS HOT LINE: 1-800-985-AIDS
Mazzoni Center: 215-563-0658
ActionAIDS: 215-981-0088
Montgomery County Dept. of Health: 610-278-5117
Delaware County Department of Health: 610-447-3250
Chester County Dept. of Health: 610-344-6252
How
should I get tested?
Anonymous vs. Confidential HIV testing
During a confidential HIV test, your doctor or health
care provider will ask your name, your address, your phone
number and the name of your health insurance provider. The
HIV test will then be preformed. Your results will be
between you and your doctor however, the doctor’s staff,
your insurance company and the payee of your health
insurance policy (i.e. your parents, your employer or
yourself) will all know you got the test.
During a free anonymous
HIV test, you will be given a coded identifying number.
After the test is performed, you will be matched with your
code number and given your test results. This way, no one
but you will ever know you were tested or know the results
of the HIV test. The test is free. Your insurance
information will not be collected. |
