Take the Test & Take the Next Step

June 27th marks the annual observance of National HIV Testing Day (NHTD), a day to encourage people to get tested for HIV, know their status, and start prevention or treatment options that are right for them. Not only is HIV testing key to living healthy with HIV, it’s an important link to prevention services for those who do not have HIV.

Testing is the only way to be sure of HIV infection. It is not only important to know your own HIV status, but also the HIV status of your sex partner(s). There are many testing options and locations available for fast, free, and confidential HIV testing. If you rather test in the privacy of your own space, you can use a HIV self-test. For NJ testing locations, contact the New Jersey AIDS/HIV/STD Hotline: 1-800-624-2377 or Chat Here

If you’re having sex or using drugs, you’re at risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Anyone regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual identity, or sexual orientation can get or pass HIV and STIs to others. Some sex practices and behaviors carry a higher risk of exposure to HIV/STIs than others. If you are at higher risk, get tested for HIV/STIs more often.

Many people live with HIV for years before being diagnosed and starting treatment. Testing not only helps diagnose people who think they may have been exposed to HIV, it also diagnoses people who didn’t know they were living with HIV. Starting and continuing treatment keeps the virus under control and helps people with HIV stay healthy, live longer, and lower their risk of HIV-related illnesses. It also prevents them from passing HIV to others.

Get Tested. Connect to Services. Stay Healthy.

Knowing who to call for resources and information is the first step in ending the HIV epidemic. New Jersey offers free HIV and other STI services to anyone living in the state. Contact the New Jersey AIDS/HIV/STD Hotline for sexual health information or to get connected with free sexual health services. Calls to the hotline are free and confidential.

If you test positive for HIV (have HIV):

• continue using safer sex practices to lower your risk of passing HIV.
• start HIV treatment right after getting your positive test result.
• treatment is recommended for all people with HIV, no matter your age, how long you’ve had HIV, or how healthy you are.
• share your HIV status with previous and current sex partners(s) and anyone you share needles, syringes, or other drug injection materials/equipment.
• get and keep an undetectable viral load (very low amount of HIV in the body) so you can stay healthy and not pass HIV to others through sex. (Undetectable=Untransmittable or U=U).
• continue using condoms (external or internal) the right way every time you have sex to prevent getting common sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

If you test negative for HIV (do not have HIV):

• continue using safer sex practices to lower your risk of getting HIV.
• talk to your sex partner(s) about testing and their HIV and STI status.
• make testing part of your yearly health checkups. If you are at high risk for HIV, get tested more often.
• talk to your healthcare provider about using HIV medicines to prevent getting HIV if you are at high risk of getting HIV or were recently exposed to HIV: PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) or PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) continue using condoms (external or internal) the right way every time you have sex to prevent getting common sexually transmitted infections.

Connect with NJ AIDS/HIV/STD Hotline Twitter | Facebook | Websit

This release was written by the NJ AIDS/HIV/STD Hotline