Rapid HIV Testing

The rapid HIV test tells you if you have HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

20 minutes.  You can find out your results the same day you take the test!

While rapid testing takes 20 minutes, blood work (or a conventional test) could take approximately 1-2 weeks for results.

With the conventional test, you may need to go back to the testing site for your results.

Although it is not required to get tested, the CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested at least once a year, as part of your routine check-up care.

People at a higher risk should get tested more often.

For more information regarding CDC testing recommendations, you may visit the link below:

CDC.gov

Although not all testing sites use the same type of rapid test, we at Rutgers IDP use a finger stick to draw a little blood from your finger.

Our rapid test looks for HIV both antigens and antibodies, so in 20 minutes, we will have your result ready for you.

A negative test means no HIV has been found in your body at this time.  This means either:

• You don’t have HIV, or;
• You have recently been exposed to HIV, and it takes approximately 10-25 days for a positive result to show.

Talk with your counselor about when is the next time you should get tested for HIV again.

A negative test result does not mean you cannot get HIV in the future.

Think you may have recently been exposed? Click HERE

If your test comes back preliminary positive, it means that you may have HIV in your body.

Any preliminary positive results will be followed up with a different type of rapid HIV test, blood work, or both.

Talk with your counselor about what your next steps are and learn what resources are available to you.

If you have any additional questions about a preliminary positive HIV test result, you may call us at 973-972-9827.

In addition to Rutgers IDP, you can find other testing locations at the link below:

HIV.gov

For other questions related to rapid HIV testing, you may call us at 973-972-9827 for more information.