Everyone’s Doing It: Stop AIDS Now. How? Get tested! Knowing your HIV status is the first step to preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS—and will guide you in decisions you make about your own health.

Everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 years old should be tested for HIV at least once as part of their routine healthcare, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People who are at higher risk for HIV because of behaviors such as having sex without condoms, having sex with multiple partners, or injecting drugs using shared needles, should get tested at least once a year.

Test at home If you want to limit your outings during the COVID-19 pandemic or just want to test in the privacy of your home, you can obtain a free at-home testing kit from HIP. Just call 352-415-0464 and we will deliver it to your door, free of charge. HIP uses the OraQuick In-Home HIV Test (retail value of $35-$45), the only HIV test approved by the FDA that people can use to test themselves at home or in a private location. The kit does not require sending a sample to a lab. It tests fluid from the mouth and delivers results in 20 to 40 minutes.

The tests are available to people in Alachua, Citrus, Columbia, Lake, Marion, Putnam and Sumter counties. HIP will deliver the kit, along with a gift and educational materials, at a time convenient to you. Best of all, you can call HIP with any questions you have about the test, prevention measures, what to do if you test positive and more!

Attend a testing site or event HIP provides free testing at various sites and events throughout North Central Florida. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are limiting in-person events and testing. Below is a list of our up-to-date scheduled testing events. Check out HIP’s Facebook or Instagram page for updates on events and when we will resume regular services.

Be safe! Use condoms and learn about other prevention strategies at HIVCarePrograms.org.