The medical profession has worked very hard over the past 2 decades to make HIV tests easier to administer and painless to take, so we thought we'd do our part to make it easier for you to locate a testing site. We also thought we'd de-mystify the types of tests available so you can easily decide which one will be most appealing to you.

The search engine below is technology we borrowed from the hard-working folks at the CDC who took the time and energy to compile the massive volume of testing site information. All you have to do is enter your US ZIP code and the range you'd like it to search, and WHAMMO! a list of local testing sites will appear!

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I TEST? | WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF HIV TESTS AVAILABLE? | FIND A TESTING SITE

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I TEST?

Around here, we like to say that depends on how slutty you are. The CDC recommends that anyone who is sexually active be tested at least once every 6 months. But, if you're exceptionally sexually active - meaning you have frequent and/or numerous sexual partners - we recommend that you get tested on a more frequent basis. Please see the chart below:

Here's a simple HIV testing schedule that should be easy to memorize. It is recommended that you get HIV and STD tests based on your sexual behavior and frequency of activity. MEN WHO ARE SEXUALLY ACTIVE ON A REASONABLE OR AVERAGE BASIS: Test every 6 months Reasonable or average frequency of sexual activity would include engaging in anal sex (protected or unprotected) 2 or 3 times a month to once every few months. Also includes receptive oral sex and cum-swallowing with the same frequency. MEN WHO ARE SEXUALLY ACTIVE ON A FREQUENT BASIS: Test every 3 months Frequent sexual activity would include engaging in anal sex (protected or unprotected) or receptive oral sex on a weekly basis to several times weekly. MEN WHO ARE SEXUALLY ACTIVE ON AN EXTREME BASIS: Test every 6 weeks to 2 months Extremely sexual activity includes those who engage in oral or anal sex (protected or unprotected) on a daily or almost daily basis with a variety of different partners. Also included in this category are men who engage in extreme sexual behavior, such as intense receptive assplay, watersports, bareback gangbangs (top or bottom), fisting, etc. Men who party and play - pnp - with crystal meth or other drugs should also get tested on this schedule.

THE COMMON TYPES OF HIV TESTS

Nowadays there are several types of HIV tests available. Not all locations offer the full range of test types, so it would be to your advantage to contact the testing sites in your area and find out what your options are. The information provided through the CDC's search engine (below) will tell you which types of tests are offered by each clinic.

Let's start with the types of RESULTS first:

• ANONYMOUS - Anonymous test results do not contain your name or other means of identification on your test (you are usually issued a control number as your identification) and you receive no piece of paper attesting your test results. Your name will not be reported to any agency even if you test positive. An anonymous test may hinder your ability to receive services should you test positive.
  
  
• CONFIDENTIAL - Confidential results require you submit your name, SSN and DOB. If you do test positive, the information is sent to the department of health where it is stored and converted into a case number which is sent to the CDC so they may monitor the number of active HIV infections in the US. You may request a written copy of your test results with a confidential test. If your test is non-reactive (HIV-Neg) you should keep the record in your wallet. If you test reactive (HIV+Positive) the record can be used to help you receive services.
  
  BarebackHealth.net recommends you request a confidential test.

The following are the types of tests administered to detect antibodies to the HIV virus:

• Standard Blood Draw (EIA antibody test) - A vial of blood is drawn and submitted to a testing facility where it is screened for anitbodies to HIV. Results can take up to 2 weeks to receive, and you will have to return to the testing site to receive them.
• Rapid Blood Test - A small drop of blood from a pinprick is collected on a special paddle and immersed in a developer liquid for 20 minutes. The results are displayed on the paddle in much the same way that they results are shown on a home pregnancy test. The test is reputed to be 99.9% accurate. If the result is positive, you will be required to take a standard Western Blot blood test for confirmation.
• Rapid Oral Test - Works exactly as the rapid blood test, but the paddle is drawn between the gums and cheeks of the mouth to collect oral fluid. No blood is drawn. The test is completely painless and has the same rapid development time and high rate of accuracy as the rapid blood test. It is also safer for the person administering the test (no blood contact; no accidental needle sticks).
• RNA Tests - These tests screen blood for actual genetic material of HIV (the other tests look for anitbodies). They are considered to be the most accurate and can be used to detect HIV far earlier than the antibody tests. RNA tests are generally not administered unless there is reason to believe that an acute infection has recently occurred. RNA tests are also used to detect HIV in blood collected for blood banks, and organs that have been harvested. The RNA test is not used frequently because it is costly.
  
  BarebackHealth.net recommends the Rapid Oral Test for convenience, safety, and accuracy.

FIND A U.S. HIV/STD TESTING SITE NEAR YOU

Enter Your ZIP Code:
Select a Search Radius:	10 miles 15 miles 20 miles 25 miles 30 miles 35 miles

Please note: This feature can only be used to locate testing sites within the US,
Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands,
and the US Virgin Islands