Abesha Care HIV/AIDS Initiative

Deciding If and When to Be Tested

Should I get tested?

The following are behaviors that increase your chances of getting
HIV. If you answer yes to any of them, you should definitely get an HIV
test. If you continue with any of these behaviors, you should be tested
every year. Talk to a health care provider about an HIV testing
schedule that is right for you.

Have you injected drugs or steroids or shared equipment (such
as needles, syringes, works) with others?

Have you had unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with men
who have sex with men, multiple partners, or anonymous
partners?

Have you exchanged sex for drugs or money?

Have you been diagnosed with or treated for hepatitis,
tuberculosis (TB), or a sexually transmitted disease (STD), like
syphilis?

Have you had unprotected sex with someone who could answer
yes to any of the above questions?

If you have had sex with someone whose history of sex partners
and/or drug use is unknown to you or if you or your partner has had
many sex partners, then you have more of a chance of being infected
with HIV. Both you and your new partner should get tested for HIV,
and learn the results, before having sex for the first time.

For women who plan to become pregnant, testing is even more
important. If a woman is infected with HIV, medical care and certain
drugs given during pregnancy can lower the chance of passing HIV to
her baby. All women who are pregnant should be tested during each
pregnancy.

REFERENCE
CDC. HIV and AIDS: Are You at Risk?

Content Source:
Divisions of HIV/AIDS Prevention
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention