Free and confidential HIV testing
We provide free, confidential HIV testing at our Comprehensive Care practice in Lancaster. No appointment is needed. The test uses no needles and provides results in 20 minutes. HIV testing is also available at many Penn Medicine family medicine practices with proof of insurance.
- Only an HIV test shows if you are infected with HIV. Other routine blood tests you get during a physical exam don’t show if you have HIV. Neither do tests for other sexually transmitted diseases such as herpes, chlamydia, or gonorrhea.
- It may take up to three months for HIV antibodies (made by your body to fight the virus) to show up in a test. If you get tested within three months after possible exposure, you could have HIV, but it may not show. During this time, which varies from person to person, you can still pass HIV to others. If you think you may have been infected with HIV, talk to your doctor or nurse about getting an HIV test, the possible need for follow-up testing, and how to prevent transmitting HIV to others.
- A person with HIV can look and feel healthy and still infect others. HIV can affect anyone, regardless of background. Early diagnosis allows for treatment that can help you live a long and healthy life and reduce the risk of transmission to others. Testing is crucial for family planning and managing health.
- Knowing if you have HIV is very important if you’re planning a family—a woman with HIV can pass it to her baby during pregnancy, labor or breastfeeding.
Ask your doctor which type of test you should have. The test options include:
- A blood test from a vein
- A rapid finger-prick test, with results in minutes
For more information, contact the Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health Physicians Comprehensive Care team or consult your family doctor about including an HIV test in your wellness visit.