HIV Screening

The Basics

What is HIV screening?

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) attacks the immune system’s CD4 cells. Left untreated it can progress to AIDS, but modern treatment keeps the virus suppressed so the immune system stays healthy. Screening is a simple blood test that checks whether you’ve been infected.

Why does it matter?

Many people with HIV don’t know it, and early treatment leads to a near-normal life expectancy. It also protects others: someone on effective treatment with an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV to sexual partners, a fact summed up as U=U (undetectable equals untransmittable).

Who & When

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force gives HIV screening its strongest rating (Grade A):

• Everyone aged 15 to 65 should be screened at least once, and people outside that range who have risk factors.
• Repeat at least yearly with ongoing risk, such as multiple partners, inconsistent condom use, injection drug use, or another STI.
• In pregnancy, screening is recommended for everyone.

The Test

The standard screen is a fourth-generation antigen/antibody blood test, which detects HIV earlier than older antibody-only tests. Rapid finger-stick and oral tests are also available. There’s a window period of a few weeks after exposure before a test turns positive, so timing matters; a reactive screen is always confirmed with a second test before a diagnosis is made. You can read about the HIV test in detail.

Your Results

• Negative — no HIV detected; if you had a recent exposure, we may repeat after the window period.
• Reactive screen — a confirmatory test follows; a positive screen alone is not a diagnosis.
• Positive — we connect you quickly to effective treatment, which is now simple and highly successful.

Prevention (PrEP & More)

There are excellent tools to prevent HIV:

• PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) — a daily pill or a long-acting injection that dramatically lowers the chance of getting HIV.
• PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) — medication started within 72 hours of a possible exposure.
• Condoms and treating partners.
• U=U — effective treatment prevents transmission entirely.

Ask us whether PrEP is right for you.

Higher Risk

Testing more often makes sense with new or multiple partners, inconsistent condom use, a partner living with HIV, injection drug use, another STI, or exchanging sex. If any apply, at least annual testing is recommended.

Signs to Watch

Many people have no symptoms for years. Some have a flu-like illness a few weeks after infection, with fever, rash, sore throat, and swollen glands. Because symptoms are unreliable, testing, not waiting for symptoms, is how HIV is found. See us for a test if you’ve had a possible exposure.

Useful Links

• HIV Testing — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• HIV Infection: Screening — U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
• HIV Test — 617 Primary Care