Do I need to get tested more than once?

Yes.  If you are sexually active you should be tested for HIV regularly.  It is recommended that you be tested every 6 months after your last possible exposure.  Most blood tests are able to detect HIV within four weeks of initial exposure, but it can take as long as three to six months for HIV to be found.  During the 6 months between exposure and the test, it is important to protect yourself and others from further possible exposures to HIV. Testing should never take the place of prevention.

What happens if I test positive?

If you test positive for HIV, follow these important steps immediately to protect your health:

·  See a doctor, even if you do not feel sick - preferably a doctor who has experience treating individuals with HIV. There are many drugs that treat HIV infection and help you to maintain your health, thus delaying the onset of AIDS, the disease caused by HIV.

·  Get tested for tuberculosis (TB). Undetected TB can cause serious illness, but it can be successfully treated if caught early.

·  Don't smoke cigarettes, drink too much alcohol, or use drugs. These can weaken your immune system and allow the virus to duplicate itself more rapidly. If necessary, find programs to help you reduce or stop using these substances.