Today, June 27, marks National HIV Testing Day (NHTD). This year’s theme, “Level up your self-love: check your status” highlights the importance of making your sexual health a priority, including getting tested for HIV.
If you’re having sex or using drugs, you’re at risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Anyone regardless of race, eth
nicity, age, gender identity, sexual identity, or sexual orientation is at risk of getting or passing HIV and other STIs. Some sex practices and behaviors carry a higher risk of exposure to HIV and other STIs than others. If you are at higher risk, it’s important to get tested more often; your medical provider may recommend getting tested more frequently than once a year.
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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 information on HIV testing options and locations, or to find a HIV PrEP counselor near you, contact the NJ AIDS/HIV/STD hotline: 1-800-624-2377 or Chat Here
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.
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By engaging people in care regardless of their test result, people are able to choose options that will keep them healthy. People who receive a negative test result will use HIV prevention tools to prevent getting HIV. People who receive a positive test result will quickly start HIV treatment; treatment not only controls the virus so it can’t be passed to partners during sex, it also prevents HIV from progressing to a life-threatening disease (AIDS).
Get Tested. Connect to Services. Stay Healthy.
New Jersey offers free HIV and other STI services to all state residents via the NJ AIDS/HIV/STD hotline. The hotline is staffed by medical professionals (doctors, nurses, and pharmacists) available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide free, confidential/private help: Call: 1-800-624-2377 or Chat Here
- Referrals for testing, prevention, treatment, and other related services
- Prevention and treatment information for HIV, hepatitis, and other STIs (sexually transmitted infections)
- Information on the side effects of medicines used to treat HIV and other STIs
- Referrals to PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) services
- Counseling and treatment locations
- Referrals to harm reduction centers (syringe access available)
- Partner notification services
- New Jersey's AIDS Drug Distribution Program (ADDP)
