Community Health HIV Testing

Many people avoid testing because they’re afraid of learning they have HIV. The fact is, people with HIV now live fuller, healthier lives—especially when diagnosed and treated early. Today there are medicines to help you manage your health long-term and avoid passing HIV to your partner or baby. Everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 should be tested for HIV at least once. Ask your family doctor to include a test as part of your wellness visit, or stop by our office for fast, free, confidential testing—no appointment needed. Our test uses no needles, and results are ready in 20 minutes.

Free, Confidential HIV Testing—No Appointment Needed

Free HIV testing is available without an appointment at LG Health Physicians Comprehensive Care.

All of LG Health’s Family Medicine practices offer HIV testing (via blood test; results typically in 24 hours), with proof of insurance. The test is FREE at our Comprehensive Care practice, regardless of insurance coverage.

About the HIV Test

• Only an HIV test shows if you are infected with HIV. Other routine blood tests you get during a physical exam don’t show if you have HIV. Neither do tests for other sexually transmitted diseases (such as herpes, chlamydia, or gonorrhea).
• It may take up to 3 months for HIV antibodies (made by your body to fight the virus) to show up in a test. If you get tested within 3 months after possible exposure, you could have HIV, but it may not show. During this time period, which varies from person to person, you can still pass HIV to others. If you think you may have been infected with HIV, talk to your doctor or nurse about getting an HIV test, the possible need for follow-up testing, and how to prevent transmitting HIV to others.
• There are different types of HIV tests. Ask your doctor which type you should have. These test options are: Test using blood from your vein or finger, or Rapid test using blood from your finger or a swab of your mouth. (You could get results the same day.)

Comprehensive Care offers the ORA Quick rapid HIV test. This test requires only an oral (mouth) swab—no needles—and results are available in 20 minutes. Note: Do not eat or drink at least 20 minutes before the test, as this may affect the results.

Everyone Benefits from HIV Testing

• A person with HIV can look and feel healthy and still infect others.
• HIV affects men and women of all ages in all types of neighborhoods—even married people or those in long-term relationships.
• No matter what, you’re better off knowing if you have HIV or not. If you find out you don’t have HIV, you can make sure you don’t get HIV in the future. If your HIV test result is positive, doctors can help you. Even if you don’t feel sick, you can get regular checkups and medicine to help you live a longer, healthier life without developing AIDS. And you can take care not to pass HIV to your partner, spouse, or baby.
• Knowing if you have HIV is very important if you’re planning a family—a woman with HIV can pass it to her baby during pregnancy, labor, or breastfeeding.