Community Health HIV Testing

Many people avoid testing because they’re afraid of learning they have HIV. People living with HIV can live full, healthy lives—especially when diagnosed and treated early. Today there are medicines to help you manage your health long-term and avoid passing HIV to your partner or baby. Everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 should be tested for HIV at least once. Ask your family doctor to include a test as part of your wellness visit, or stop by our office for fast, free, confidential testing—no appointment needed.

Free, Confidential HIV Testing—No Appointment Needed

Free HIV testing is available without an appointment at LG Health Physicians Comprehensive Care.

All of LG Health’s Family Medicine practices offer HIV testing via blood test, with proof of insurance. The test is FREE at our Comprehensive Care practice, regardless of insurance coverage.

About the HIV Test

• Only an HIV test shows if you are infected with HIV. Other routine blood tests you get during a physical exam don’t show if you have HIV. Neither do tests for other sexually transmitted diseases (such as herpes, chlamydia, or gonorrhea).
• It may take up to 3 months for HIV antibodies (made by your body to fight the virus) to show up in a test. If you get tested within 3 months after possible exposure, you could have HIV, but it may not show. During this time period, which varies from person to person, you can still pass HIV to others. If you think you may have been infected with HIV, talk to your doctor or nurse about getting an HIV test, the possible need for follow-up testing, and how to prevent transmitting HIV to others.
• Ask your doctor which type of test you should have. The test options are:
  • Test using blood from your vein.
  • Rapid test using blood from your finger. Rapid test results are available within minutes. 

Everyone Benefits from HIV Testing

• A person with HIV can look and feel healthy and still infect others.
• HIV can affect anyone regardless of background.
• No matter what, you’re better off knowing if you have HIV or not. If you find out you don’t have HIV, you can make sure you don’t get HIV in the future. If your HIV test result is reactive, doctors can help you. Even if you don’t feel sick, you should get regular checkups and take medications as prescribed to help you live a longer, healthier life. Once your viral load is undetectable, you cannot transmit the virus to others.
• Knowing if you have HIV is very important if you’re planning a family—a woman with HIV can pass it to her baby during pregnancy, labor, or breastfeeding.