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HIV Testing

Contents:

Why Get Tested?
New guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that everyone from ages 13-64 get an HIV test at least once as a part of routine medical care. If you have higher-risk behavior, you should get tested at least annually. Getting tested can be an empowering experience, regardless of the results. If you test negative, it can ease your anxiety and give you even more motivation to keep your risk low. If you test positive, this is helpful to know now rather than later, both in terms of your own health and in decreasing your risk of transmitting the virus to others.

About HIV Testing
The HIV test looks for antibodies to HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), rather than the virus itself.

If you get a NEGATIVE test result:

  • You are not infected with HIV, assuming your most recent possible exposure was more than six months ago.
  • Otherwise, you should get retested six months after your last possible exposure, because it can take that long for you to test positive.
  • Make sure you avoid future exposure by practicing safer sex (such as always using condoms) and never sharing needles.

If you get a confirmed POSITIVE test result:

  • You are infected with HIV, and could transmit the virus to others.
  • However, you do not necessarily have AIDS – only an experienced clinician can make this diagnosis.
  • Make an appointment for a full medical exam. Be sure to discuss with your provider how to stay healthy and whether anti-HIV medications would be advisable.
  • Also, do whatever you can to avoid future transmission by practicing safer sex (such as always using condoms) and never sharing needles or donating blood.
  • HIV can also be transmitted to an infant during pregnancy and birth, so talk to your clinician if you are pregnant or might become pregnant. There are ways to reduce the risk of transmission to your baby


HIV Services at the Tang Center

  • Confidential testing: Make an appointment with a clinician by calling 510-642-2000. The test costs $38.50, or $7.70 with SHIP (subject to change).
  • Sexual Health Education Program (SHEP): You can talk with a trained peer educator about the HIV test, safer sex strategies, and any other concerns you might have. Make an appointment by calling 510-642-2000.
  • Self-Care Resource Center: View the video "The HIV Antibody Test" in the Self-Care Resource Center, on the second floor of the Tang Center.
  • Safer sex supplies: Condoms and lube can be purchased at reduced prices through the Tang Center Pharmacy.
  • For other resources: See HIV: Medical, Counseling & Educational Services.

Other Testing Sites

HIV testing at the Tang Center is confidential, which means that your test results go into your confidential medical record. Medical records cannot be released without your permission, and HIV results have additional legal protections ensuring their confidentiality. However, some people prefer to get an anonymous HIV test, which allows them to be identified only by a special code number without ever using their name.

If you would like to get an anonymous HIV test, several nearby testing sites are listed below. Please call ahead, as many sites require an appointment and services may have changed.

  • Berkeley Free Clinic
    2339 Durant (at Dana)
    Berkeley, CA 94704
    (510) 548-2570
    Saturdays 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM (women only)
    Sundays 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

  • Berkeley City Public Health Clinic
    830 University Avenue (at 6th Street)
    Berkeley, CA 94710
    (510) 981-5380
    Wednesdays 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
    Saturdays 11:00 AM - 3:30 PM

  • East Bay AIDS Center
    (a unit of the Alta Bates Medical Center)
    3100 Summit Street, 2nd floor
    Oakland, CA 94609
    (510) 869-8400
    HIV testing by appointment (M-F 9-5).

  • West Oakland Health Center
    700 Adeline Street
    Oakland, CA 94607
    (510) 835-9610
    Fridays 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

  • La Clinica de la Raza
    1531 Fruitvale Avenue
    Oakland, CA 94601
    (510) 535-4000
    HIV testing available at several locations and times; please call for details.

For more testing sites, or if you have additional questions about HIV/AIDS, please visit http://www.aidshotline.org or call 1-800-367-AIDS.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to diagnose, treat or provide a second opinion on any health problem or disease. It is meant to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between an individual and his/her clinician.

Last revised: November, 2006

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