National HIV Testing Day

Medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD. Last updated on Nov 21, 2023.

What is National HIV Testing Day?

National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) -- June 27th each year -- is the national observance day in the U.S. to promote Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) testing.

The theme “Take the Test & Take the Next Step” is the 2023 national HIV testing and prevention campaign designed to promote testing for HIV to learn your HIV status. This theme emphasizes that knowing your HIV status helps you choose options to stay healthy. HIV testing, including self-testing, is the pathway to engaging people in care to keep them healthy, regardless of their test result.

Who does HIV affect?

HIV can affect anyone regardless of sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, gender or age. However, certain groups are at higher risk for HIV. Gay and bisexual men are the population most affected by HIV in the United States.

• According to 2021 statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), gay, bisexual, and other men who reported male-to-male sexual contact accounted for 70% (22,400) of the 32,100 estimated new HIV infections and 86% of estimated infections among all men.

But anyone who has unprotected sex with someone whose HIV status they do not know may be at risk for contracting the virus.

• In 2021, people reporting heterosexual contact accounted for 22% (7,100) of the 32,100 estimated new HIV infections.
• • Men reporting heterosexual contact accounted for 6% (2,000) of estimated new HIV infections.
  • Women reporting heterosexual contact accounted for 16% (5,100) of estimated new HIV infections.

Additionally, anyone who does not know their HIV status and has unprotected sex with someone else is at risk for spreading the virus to others unknowingly. Getting tested and practicing safe sex can help to reduce this dangerous cycle.

Who Should Be Tested for HIV?

The CDC recommends everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 years of age be HIV-tested at least once as part of their regular health screening. People at higher risk should get tested more frequently.

Pregnant women or those planning a pregnancy should also undergo early HIV testing as part of their routine prenatal check-up at each pregnancy to help prevent passing HIV to their babies.

People at higher risk for HIV should be tested at least once a year, or more often. The CDC estimates that more than 90% of all new infections could be prevented by proper testing and linking HIV positive persons to care. They suggest at least yearly testing for those at higher risk for HIV, such as:

• Sexually active gay and bisexual men (testing every 3 to 6 months may benefit some).
• Those who have had sex—anal or vaginal—with an HIV-positive partner.
• If you've had more than one sex partner since your last HIV test.
• People who use intravenous drugs, for example heroin. You've shared needles or supplies for injecting drugs.
• People who have exchanged sex for money or drugs.
• You have another sexually transmitted disease (for example: gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia), hepatitis, or tuberculosis (TB).
• You've had sex with anyone who has done any of the above actions or have had sex with someone whose HIV status you do not know.

Where Can I Get an HIV Test?

The only way to know for sure if you have HIV is to get tested:

• Ask your doctor or other healthcare provider
• Consult with a healthcare provider to find an HIV testing center, find a place to be tested in the community, or take a home HIV test. Community resources include medical clinics, local health departments, substance abuse programs, community health centers, and hospitals. Call and ask if they offer testing.
• You can purchase a home HIV testing kit from your local pharmacy or online, but be sure you are buying from reputable online site. If unsure, it's better to buy from a pharmacy. This might be an important option if you are high risk or need to practice social distancing.
• If you are a college student, most campus health clinics will offer free or reduced cost HIV testing.
• As required by the Affordable Care Act, HIV screening is covered by health insurance without a co-pay. This includes most Medicaid programs. Some health clinics may offer free tests, too.

You can find the location of your local HIV testing sites by:

1. Entering your zip code at these websites: gettested.cdc.gov or https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/hiv-testing/finding-tests.html
2. You can call 1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636).

All of these resources are free and confidential.

How Can I Lower My Risk of Getting HIV?

You can lower your HIV risk by having sex with one partner only whose HIV status you know is negative (unifected).

• If you know your partner is HIV-positive OR you are not sure of your partner's status, use a condom every time you have anal, vaginal or oral sex.
• Talk to your healthcare provider about options like medicines that prevent and treat HIV, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and antiretroviral therapy.

See a healthcare provider as soon as possible if you know your HIV status is positive. Most people who are infected with HIV will progress to AIDS if not treated.

Early detection and treatment for HIV can make a drastic and positive impact on your health, so early testing is endorsed by the CDC. Getting treated also helps to lower the chance that HIV is passed on to others.

What is Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)?

People who have been sexually assaulted, shared needles or other equipment, or may have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours from sexual contact or a work environment should consider post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

With PEP, you take certain antiretroviral medicines within 72 hours to help prevent an HIV infection if you've possibly been exposed to HIV. Contact your doctor immediately or go to an emergency room or urgent care clinic right away for treatment.

What is Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)?

Using antiretroviral drugs to help prevent infection is called pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP. The PrEP approach to HIV prevention can protect people at high risk of being infected with HIV.

Three drugs are approved for PrEP use:

• Truvada (emtricitabine and tenofovir) - oral tablet taken daily; also available as a cost-saving generic option and most likely covered by insurance.
• Descovy (emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide) - oral tablet taken daily; no generic available yet; manufacturer (Gilead) may be able to offer a copay coupon card or call 1-800-226-2056.
• Apretude (cabotegravir extended-release injection) - an expensive but long-acting injection given by a healthcare provider every 2 months; no generic is available. Check with your insurance for cost and coverage.

These regimens will help prevent an HIV-negative person from getting HIV infection from an HIV partner who is positive. They can be up to 99% effective.

You must be HIV-1 negative to start PrEP. Everyone is screened for HIV before starting PrEP and regular HIV tests are conducted either every 2 or 3 months, based on which treatment you receive.

Learn more: HIV Prevention: PrEP and Other Options

PrEP can reduce the risk of HIV infection in intravenous (IV) drug abusers, in transmission of HIV from mother to child, and in sexually active gay and bisexual men and in heterosexuals.

If you are uninfected, but are at high risk of acquiring HIV infection, talk to your health care provider about PrEP options.

Related

To Learn More Information About HIV/AIDs Testing

• Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

To Learn More About National HIV Testing Day

• Visit National HIV Testing Day #HIVTestingDay

To Learn More Information About HIV/AIDS

• Visit the Drugs.com HIV/AIDS Center

To Learn More Information About PrEP

• Visit the CDC About PrEP

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer