Like checking your blood pressure or your cholesterol, getting an HIV test is an important part of your regular health routine.

If you test negative for HIV, you can take steps to make sure you stay that way.

If you test positive, you can start treatment right away. The treatments available now for HIV are very effective. And the sooner you start treatment, the better it can work to help you live a longer, healthier life. Treatment can also reduce the amount of virus you have in your body which, along with safer sex practices, may help protect the people you have sex with.

As for testing, it’s faster and easier than ever. Rapid HIV testing, offered at many testing clinics, provides accurate results in 20 minutes via a mouth swab or finger prick. The newest tests provide results in under five minutes! Imagine. That’s just a few minutes to a clearer head so you can start making decisions about the support and knowledge you need, no matter what the result.