San Antonio AIDS Foundation

Anonymous/Confidential HIV Testing

SAAF offers fast, free and anonymous or confidential HIV testing and counseling. You do not have to give your name and minors do not need parental consent to test. SAAF offers the OraQuick Advance Test, with results in as little as 20 minutes, wheras traditional test results take up to a week.

Who Should Get Tested?

Consider getting tested for HIV if you have ever:

Had unprotected sex with a man or woman
Shared needles or syringes for any reason
Had a sexually transmitted disease (STD)
Received a blood transfusion or blood clotting factor between 1978 and 1985

Am I At Risk?
Visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for more details.

When Should You Get Tested?

Three months after putting yourself at risk (through unprotected sex or IV drug use) **
In the event of condom failure (i.e., ripping, breaking, falling off or tearing)

**Most HIV tests are antibody tests that measure the antibodies your body makes against HIV. It can take some time for the immune system to produce enough antibodies for the antibody test to detect and this time period can vary from person to person. This time period is commonly referred to as the “window period”.

Here is what the CDC says about the window period:

"Antibodies generally appear within three months after infection with HIV, but may take up to six months in some persons."

This CDC definition of a three to six month window period has been commonly used for a number of years.

What does this mean for you?

The three month window period is normal for most of the population. Many people will have detectable antibodies in three or four weeks. Very, very rarely (i.e., only a few cases ever ), a person could take six months to produce antibodies.

About the HIV Virus

The HIV antibodies do not form in your body immediately after being exposed. You should wait three to six months after you think you were exposed (unless you are pregnant, in which case you should request a PCR test from your OB immediately)before getting the test. During the waiting period, it is critical that you abstain from any risky behavior such as sharing needles/syringes and having unprotected sex (without a condom).

If You Find Out You Are HIV Positive

You can take steps to guard your health and get access to medical care.
There are distinct benefits to early treatment, even though there is no cure for HIV infection.
People with HIV can add years and quality to their lives by getting help early.
If you are pregnant, knowing you have HIV infection can greatly reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to your infant.
Knowing you have HIV infection will help you protect others from HIV infection.

SAAF offers HIV testing Monday through Thursday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. For more information, please call the SAAF Education Department at (210) 225-4715.

Created by: Dexahecimal Design

818 East Grayson, San Antonio, TX 78208-1013
t. 210.225.4715 | f. 210.224.7730 | e. txsaaf@txsaaf.org