The getmyHIVtest.com program was created by the Pennsylvania Expanded HIV Testing Initiative at Penn State University and the HIV Prevention and Care Project (HPCP) at the University of Pittsburgh, with support from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Our goal is to ensure testing is available for anyone who wants to be tested.
The best way to test for HIV is at a clinic or doctor’s office. To find testing near you, go to the CDC’s HIV and STI testing locator at gettested.cdc.gov. Most clinics provide testing at little or no cost.
OraQuick® is the first FDA-approved in-home test for HIV. It’s an oral swab test that doesn’t require blood, and it’s based on the same HIV test that healthcare professionals have used since 2004. OraQuick® also provides expert advice on how to take the test and can help with finding resources if the test is positive. To find out more, watch their online video or call their 24/7 support line at 1-866-436-6527.
What you should know before you order a test kit
It can take a while for the immune system to produce enough antibodies for the test to detect. While most people (97%) will develop detectable antibodies in the first 3 months after the initial infection, some will not. Therefore, a negative result does not mean that you are definitely not infected with HIV, particularly when exposure may have been within the previous three months. If you think you may have been exposed recently, you may want to get a second test after a 3-month period to verify your negative result.
If you think you’ve been recently exposed to HIV (in the last 2 days), consider taking PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis). PEP is an antiretroviral medication you can take after being exposed to HIV to prevent becoming infected. You can get PEP from your doctor, from local health clinics, and even from any hospital emergency room. Also, for those who are HIV negative, but are at an ongoing risk of HIV, PrEP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a medication that significantly reduces the risk of HIV infection. To find out more about PrEP and to locate local providers, go to the HPCP’s PrEP information page.
Finally, don’t take the self-test if:
- you are under 17 years of age
- you have tested positive for HIV in the past
- you are HIV positive and on treatment for HIV
- you are uncomfortable administering an HIV self-test
To obtain the self-testing kit, fill out the information below and then click on the submit button. It’s that simple. If you have questions about ordering, send an email to info@getmyHIVtest.com. We will send you an email approximately two weeks after receiving the kit, to request feedback about the getmyHIVtest.com program.
This site contains STI & HIV prevention messages that might not be appropriate for all audiences. Since these infections are spread primarily through sexual practices or by sharing needles, prevention messages may address these topics. If you are not seeking such information or may be offended by such materials, please leave this website. This website is not intended as a substitute for your healthcare provider.
