Most health insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare, will pay for the test at a doctor's office

or clinic. Some places offer free and low-cost testing. Click here for a list of HIV testing sites in

New Jersey.

Some tests use blood from a vein in your arm or a finger prick. Other tests are done by gently

swabbing the inside of your mouth (gums). Your healthcare provider can help you choose the

right test for you.

You can take an HIV test at home. This might be good if you:

• Prefer to test in private.

• Want to test often.

• Are comfortable with following the directions.

• Are prepared to see a doctor for follow-up care if the test is positive.

Testing at a clinic or health center might be better if you:

• Are feeling symptoms.

• Have another STD.

• Are unsure about how you would handle getting a positive result.

Some tests give results in 20 or 30 minutes. Other tests may take a few days. Ask your

healthcare provider how long it will take to get the results, based on the test you choose.

If your first HIV test is positive, you will have a follow-up test. If the second test is also positive,

it means you have HIV. When you start treatment (taking medicine) early, you can live a long,

healthy life. It is important to start treatment right away, even if you don’t feel sick.

If your HIV test is negative, your healthcare providers will talk to you about other ways to

protect your health.

If you think you were exposed to HIV recently, you may need to test again to be sure the result is

correct. It can take up to 90 days for the virus to show up on some tests. Ask your healthcare

provider if you need a follow-up test.

If you think you were exposed to HIV in the last 3 days (72 hours), you should see a doctor or

go to the emergency room right away.

• There is a medicine called PEP that can prevent HIV after possible exposure.

• You must start PEP within 72 hours of when you might have been exposed (for example if a condom

was not used, if a condom broke, if you were sexually assaulted, or if you shared a needle).

• You will be tested for HIV before PEP is started, and there are follow-up HIV tests too.

• You must take this medicine every day for 28 days.

There are many things you can do to help prevent HIV.

• PrEP is a medicine you take before you might be exposed to HIV. PrEP helps lower your

chance of getting HIV from sex or drug use. Click here to learn more.

• Use condoms the correct way every time you have sex.

• If your sexual partner has HIV, they can take medications to lower the HIV in their blood to

"undetectable" which prevents them from sexually transmitting HIV to others.

• Use new, clean needles any time you inject drugs. Click here for more information.

• Tell your friends and family about HIV testing and why it is important. Everyone should

know their HIV status!