Definitions for Services Offered

HIV Antibody Testing Services

This organization provides antibody testing services. These services may be anonymous and/or confidential.

The available tests may be blood tests, urine tests, or oral fluid tests. Contact the organization for more information.

Anonymous HIV Antibody Testing Services

These are antibody testing services for which no name is given. Only the person getting tested can reveal his/her results to anyone.

Anonymous testing is available in many states and territories, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. State laws are subject to change. Call CDC-INFO (formerly the CDC National AIDS Hotline) at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) for current information.

Confidential HIV Antibody Testing Services

This organization provides confidential antibody testing services and records the person's name with the test result. Records are kept secret from everyone except medical personnel or, in some states, the state health department.

Individuals should ask who will know the results and how the record will be stored. If the HIV antibody test is confidential, a release form can be signed to have the test results sent to the individual's physician. At some centers, however, such as doctor offices or clinics, test results may become part of the individual's medical record and may be seen by health care workers, insurers, or employers.

The individual's status may become known to his/her insurance company if he/she makes a claim for health insurance benefits or applies for life insurance or disability insurance. If any health care provider proposes to test someone for HIV antibodies, the reasons and the potential benefits should be discussed before deciding whether or not to take the test.

Home Testing Kit Distribution

For a fee, these organizations provide home blood collection systems that allow individuals to draw a small amount of blood and mail the sample to a private company for testing. Results are provided by phone.

Consumers are advised to use only kits approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and to follow the kit's instructions carefully for accurate results.

Rapid HIV Antibody Testing

Where the standard HIV antibody testing procedure requires up to two weeks for results, the rapid test gives results in 5-60 minutes. For rapid blood testing the fingertip is cleaned with alcohol and pricked with a lancet to get a small drop of blood. The blood is collected with a specimen loop and transferred to a vial, where it is mixed with a developing solution. For oral testing oral fluid specimens are obtained by swabbing gums with test devices and placed in a solution. In as little as 20 minutes, the test device will indicate if HIV-1 antibodies are present in the solution. Although the results of rapid screenings will be reported in point-of-care settings, as with all screening tests for HIV, if the test gives a reactive test result, that result must be confirmed with an additional specific test. To determine which type of rapid testing is being performed, call the organization directly.

Oral HIV Antibody Testing

For oral testing oral fluid specimens are obtained by swabbing gums with test devices and placed in a solution. In as little as 20 minutes, the test device will indicate if HIV-1 antibodies are present in the solution.

STD Testing Services

Organizations that provide STD testing services.

Note: For further assistance in locating a site, call (800)458-5231.

If you represent a testing site that is not included in this database or if you would like to update your organization's record, please send an e-mail including the organization's name, a contact person, and phone number to the CDC National Prevention Information Network (NPIN).