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HIV/AIDS

Why get tested for HIV?

Getting tested helps you find out whether or not you have been infected with HIV, how to stay healthy, and how to protect others. You can look and feel perfectly healthy and still be infected. Knowing your HIV status is the first step in taking responsibility for your health and the health of others.

How do people feel when getting tested?

People may feel depressed, afraid, curious, guilty, nervous, anxious, ashamed, ambivalent, angry, regretful, empowered, apathetic, confident, informed, overwhelmed, and relieved. Your HIV counselor will discuss any emotions you may be experiencing during your pre- and post-test counseling sessions.

When should I get tested?

Most people will develop detectable HIV antibodies within three months after infection, so it is best to get tested three months after your last exposure. Examples of exposures are:

  • Vaginal or anal penetration without condoms
  • Oral-genital or oral-anal activity without the use of a protective barrier (e.g., condom, dental dam)
  • Sharing injection needles, or having unprotected sex with a partner who shares needles

During the time between your last exposure and the HIV test, avoid any behavior that would result in exposure to blood (including menstrual blood), semen, pre-seminal fluid, vaginal fluids or breast milk.

You may want to avoid getting tested during stressful times such as midterms, finals, family conflicts, etc.

Who can I contact with more questions about HIV?

If you have more questions about HIV, you can contact these campus resources: