20% of people living with hiv don’t know their status.
HIV, if left untreated, can be fatal and can be transmitted to other people. That’s why it’s so important to know your status! If you are living with HIV, knowing your status will allow you to get into treatment to live a long, healthy and normal life. It can also help you become undetectable where the virus can’t be transmitted to another sexual partner – stopping HIV in it’s tracks.
4 WAYS TO GET TESTED FOR HIV IN PHOENIX
1) SELF-TESTING
The OraQuick at-home home HIV test was approved for home-use in 2012 and is the only at-home rapid test approved by the FDA.
The test uses a swab to sample oral fluids across your gums where HIV antibodies can be detected. You’ll get your results – from home – in just 20 minutes.
Pick up an OraQuick At-Home HIV Test from your local pharmacy for around $45 or order one FREE from our Action Center – delivered to your door!
Get yours today!
2) EVENT TESTING
RipplePHX and other community-based organizations provide FREE Rapid HIV Testing at a variety of events throughout the Valley.
The rapid HIV tests use just a little bit of blood from a finger-stick and can deliver results within 1 minute to 20 minutes!
Community-based testing is on-hold due to COVID-19. Follow us on Facebook to watch for upcoming Testing Events.
3) MOBILE TESTING
Take a ride aboard RipplePHX’s Chariot! Book an appointment on the Chariot, and we’ll come to your home, apartment, work, or meet you in a parking lot! Or – catch us out at events throughout the Valley!
In-partnership with Spectrum Medical Group, you’ll also have access to PrEP appointments, HIV Treatment and more!
4) CLINIC OR DOC
There are a number of different community-based organizations throughout Phoenix that provide FREE Rapid HIV Testing. Check out some of those organizations below.
You can also get tested with your Primary Care Provider. Testing won’t be free, but can be billed to your insurance with your visit.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU BE TESTED FOR HIV?
How often you should be tested for HIV comes down to two factors: 1) a recent exposure you’re concerned about and 2) your level of activity and what kinds of exposures you may have during that activity. Use the following as a guide to the most commonly heard situations and get tested as frequently as you feel necessary.
LESS THAN 3 MONTHS?
Should you be re-tested in less than 3 months? Click here to find out!
LESS THAN 3 MONTHS:
Recent Exposures
It can take up to 3 months for your body to produce enough HIV antibodies to be detected.
EVERY 3 MONTHS?
Should you be tested for HIV every 3 months? Click here to find out!
EVERY 3 MONTHS:
HIGHLY ACTIVE
Get tested every 3 months if you regularly have sex with multiple partners, "sometimes" use condoms or PrEP, or if you're taking PrEP.
EVERY 6 MONTHS?
Should you be tested for HIV every 6 months? Click here to find out!
EVERY 6 MONTHS:
SOMEWHAT ACTIVE
Get tested every 6 months if you have had sex with a few partners, and/or "sometimes" use condoms or PrEP.
EVERY 12 MONTHS?
Should you be tested for HIV every 12 months? Click here to find out!
EVERY 12 MONTHS:
ACTIVE
Get tested every 12 months if you use condoms every time you have sex, or if you're a man who has had sex with a gay or bi man - whether you're in a relationship with that person or not.
WELCOME ABOARD THE CHARIOT!
The Chariot is RipplePHX’s Mobile HIV Testing Unit that brings HIV testing to your home, apartment, workplace or even a parking lot that you’re comfortable with on Saturdays and Sundays when most HIV testing locations are closed.
You’ll also find The Chariot at pop-up testing locations, festivals, events and more!
In-partnership with Spectrum Medical, aboard The Chariot, you’ll find RipplePHX and Spectrum Team Members partnered-up to not only bring HIV Testing, but to also schedule PrEP appointments and help with HIV Treatment if your test is positive. We’re absolutely with you every step of the way.
GET A FREE, AT-HOME RAPID HIV TEST KIT!
GET A FREE AT-HOME HIV TEST kit
- Similar to the tests used in clinics and labs.
- Oral swab test that does not require blood.
- Results in just 20 minutes at home!
OraQuick uses a simple oral swab for sample collection rather than blood. Just like blood, oral fluid collected by swabbing the gums also contains antibodies produced in response to an HIV infection. If present, the OraQuick Test detects these HIV antibodies in the oral fluid.
IF YOU’RE SEXUALLY ACTIVE, YOU NEED TO KNOW YOUR HIV STATUS.
If you are living with HIV, treatment will help you live a normal, healthy life and also eliminates the risk of transmission to another sexual partner. If you need help establishing treatment, please contact us at hello@ripplephx.org. How often you should test is up to you. If you’re active, you should at least test once a year. But if you’re active with multiple partners, get tested as frequently as every 3 months.
OTHER FREE HIV TESTING CLINICS IN PHOENIX
Below, you’ll find locations where you can find FREE or low-cost HIV Testing in Phoenix. Click on the locations on the map, or on the icon in the top left corner for a list of all locations.