Benefits for you

• A test can give you peace of mind. It is the only way you can know for sure if you have HIV or an STI.
• We now have very effective treatments for HIV. They work better the sooner you take them. These medications are available to everyone who needs them in King County, WA.
• Untreated STIs are leading causes of infertility (inability to make a baby) for both men and women. Untreated HPV can result in certain types of cancer.
• If you are pregnant, it is vital to get tested for HIV and STIs because medicines can help prevent your baby from getting them.
• If there is a possibility that your partner has had sex with anyone besides you, you should get tested.

Benefits for your partner

• If you know you have HIV or STIs, you can protect your partner from getting infected by not having sex or using a condom.
• If you have HIV or STIs, you can help your partner get tested. If positive, the sooner they get treated, the healthier they will be.
  
  
• HIV and AIDS facts
• Preguntas frecuentes sobre VIH y SIDA

How long to wait after possible exposure to get tested

STI testing

The time it takes from infection to illness for each STI is different, from days to several weeks. Most STIs show no symptoms at all. Talk to a health care provider to find out what is right for you.

You can be exposed to STIs through skin contact (herpes, syphilis, HPV) or by exchanging body fluids like semen and vaginal fluid (chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, and possibly hepatitis C) or by fecal matter (hepatitis A). Condoms work very well at preventing most of these exposures. If you think you have STI symptoms, get tested right away. If someone you have had sex with recently told you they were infected or if someone from Public Health called you about your sex partner testing positive, get tested right away. A health care provider may treat you before test results are back if your partner already tested positive for an STI.

HIV

Exposure to HIV is only possible by exchange of body fluids like blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk. No matter what kind of HIV test you get, there is a short period of time right after infection when the tests won't be able to detect signs of HIV, even if you are infected. This is called a "window period." If you get tested too soon (during the window period), your results may be wrong. How long you must wait depends on the type of test you take. Talk to your doctor.

NOTE: if you think you had an exposure to HIV, ask about PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis). Getting PEP within 72 hours of exposure can prevent HIV from establishing itself in your body.

For RNA or 4th generation antigen test

These tests can usually detect HIV within 2 weeks after the infection. RNA/4th generation test are not available for in home use. It is important to see your doctor or health care provider as quickly as you can if you think you have been exposed to HIV. Starting treatment very soon after infection can help one's health. If you think you may have been infected, get tested right away. This is particularly important if you think you have symptoms that might come from acute HIV (fever, fatigue, sore throat, muscle aching, rash).

For antibody testing in a clinic setting

It's best to test three to four weeks after a possible exposure and again at three to six months.

For antibody testing using a home testing kit

Home HIV test kits can give accurate results three months after infection. If a home test is positive, go to your doctor or a clinic right away for second test to confirm the result.

What to do if you test positive

STIs

For all STIs, there is treatment. For most STIs, there is a cure.

Some STIs like syphilis and chlamydia are easily cured with treatment. Some STIs like HPV may clear on their own. Others like herpes and HIV can be chronic and ongoing and require regular medical treatment.

1. Tell your sex partner(s) that you have tested positive. They should get tested immediately. Public Health can help you with these conversations.
2. If you have to take medication, be sure to take all of it. For example, some gonorrhea has grown resistant to treatment because people are not taking all of their medicine.
3. Stop having sex until you and your partner(s) are finished with treatment.
4. Go back to get tested again if symptoms reappear.

HIV

HIV treatment and emotions around a diagnosis of HIV can be more complex than other STIs. It's a good idea to think ahead about getting your results. Do you think you'll need extra support? If so, arrange to call a friend, partner, or family member after you get your results. That person might be willing to go with you to your appointment.

If you do test positive, here are some tips on what to do next:

1. Find any emotional support you need. It may help to talk with family or friends or a professional counselor. Some people need a little time on their own before they start talking about it with others. If you need support, you can get it at:
   • Crisis Connections open 24-hours at 1-866-427-4747
     Crisis Connections connects people in physical, emotional and financial crisis to services that will be of help. They help to reduce immediate emotional distress and defuse crises for individuals, families and the community; to reduce the immediate risk of violence to one's self and others; and to increase the ability of people to access the safety net, particularly for mental and emotional support services. 24-hour Crisis Line: 1-866-427-4747.
     
     
2. Find a healthcare provider. Even if you feel healthy, find a healthcare provider and talk about treatment options or other health issues you may have. Treatments for HIV are easier to take than ever, and there's no reason to wait to get into care. A good place to start is Public Health's One on One Program where you can get initial blood tests and medical advice. Call 206-263-2410.
   
   
3. Tell any previous sex partners. If you think you may have exposed someone to HIV, it's important to let them know. If you feel uneasy about doing this, Public Health can help. A Public Health counselor can be with you when you talk with partners or give you some advice on how to do it yourself. A counselor can also contact your partners for you to explain that a previous sex partner has tested positive for HIV and offer free HIV testing. No information is given about you. All of these services are free. Call 206-263-2410.

Why HIV testing is important to you (posters)

This fact sheet is formatted to be printed as a two sided flyer in color or black and white on letter size paper (8½" x 11"). It is available in Adobe PDF format in these languages:

Learn more about HIV and other STIs

STI resources

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Planned Parenthood
• American Sexual Health Association

HIV resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Planned Parenthood
• American Sexual Health Association