Resources

HIV/AIDS Testing

This information is updated every six months. We do our best to maintain accurate information; however, testing sites often change their testing times, locations, and test-type availability. We encourage you to call the testing site before going for your test.

Washington DC

On-Campus
Location: American University Student Health Center
McCabe Hall
Identification: Anonymous* or Confidential
Cost: $30 (Orasure)**
HIV Contact: Appointment or Walk-In
Call 202-885-3380
Test Type: Orasure (oral HIV test)
STD Contact: Same

* To receive anonymous testing at the AU Health Center you must: 1)Check the box on the intake form OTHER and print you would like to "discuss your health concern with the health care provider." 2) Inform the health care provider that you would like the test to be anonymous.

** The cost may be billed to the health center if you wish to remain anonymous however, you must pay them individually. Talk to the Health Care Provider about Insurance payment.

Northwest
Location: Elizabeth Taylor Center of Whitman-Walker Clinic
1701 14th Street, NW
202-332-3926 (exam)
M,W 12:30pm-7pm
T,TH & F 9:30am-4:30pm
Identification: Anonymous or Confidential
Cost: Free, $25 donation requested
HIV Contact: Appointment needed for HIV testing
Test Type: Oraquick (finger prick blood test)
STD Contact(s):
Gay Men's Clinic: Call 202-745-6125 -- T, TH Evenings -- 6-7:30pm -- Walk-in Clinic
Lesbian Services: Call 202-745-6131 -- Appointment Required

* Whitman Walker provides service to all persons regardless of sexual orientation.
* The "exam" line is to make HIV appointments at all Whitman-Walker Centers.

Location: Clinica Del Pueblo
1470 Irving Street, NW  3rd Floor
202-462-4788, M-F, 9 am - 5 pm
All Services provided in Spanish and English
Identification: Anonymous or Confidential
Cost: Free, Any $ donation requested
HIV Contact: Walk-In Hours
Mon./Tues. 9am-5pm
Wed. 3pm - 7pm
Thurs. 9am - 9pm
Fri. 9am - 6pm
Sat. 10am - 2pm
Test Type: Orasure (oral HIV test)
STD Contact: Appointment or Walk-In

Location: Washington Free Clinic
1525 Newton Street, NW
Identification: Anonymous or Confidential
Cost: Free, Donation requested
HIV Contact: Walk-In Clinic
Call 202-667-1106
Call for Appointment Anytime
Test Type: Orasure (oral HIV test)
STD Contact: Male STD Clinic -- twice a month, please call for information on date

Southeast
Location: Max Robinson Center of Whitman-Walker Clinic
2301 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, SE
Identification: Anonymous
Cost: Free, $25 donation requested
HIV Contact: Walk-In (appointments suggested)
Call 202-670-7110
Mon.- Fri. 9am - 5pm
Test Type: Orasure (oral HIV test)
STD Contact(s): No STD Testing provided at this location

* The "Exam" line is to make HIV appointments at all Whitman-Walker Centers.

Maryland
Location: Montgomery County Health Department
2000 Dennis Ave.
Silver Spring, MD
(call for directions)
Identification: Anonymous or Confidential
Cost: Free, $10 donation requested
HIV Contact: Appointment Required (24hrs in advance)
Call 240-777-1760
M,W & F. 8am - 4:30pm
Th. 11am - 6:30pm
Closed Daily from: 12noon - 1pm,
3:30 - 4:30 (thursdays only)
Test Type: Orasure (oral HIV test) and Blood Testing
Oraquick (Tues. Only)
STD Contact(s): Same

Virginia
Location: Alexandria Health Department
517 North Saint Asaph Street
Alexandria, VA
(call for directions)
Identification: Anonymous or Confidential
Cost: Free
Contact: No appointment necessary
HIV Clinic: 703-838-4388 -- W 2-3:30pm, Th 5-6:30pm (anonymous only), F 9-10:30am
STD Clinic: 703-838-4388 -- W 4-6pm
Test Type: Blood Testing

Information about HIV Testing

You Might Want to Consider Being Tested If...

1. You have reason to think you've been infected (or have a high risk of being infected) with HIV. Early treatment of people who have HIV infection delays the development of serious symptoms and prevents or reduces complications.

2. The certainty of knowing your test results, either positive or negative, will help you adopt safer sex practices or stop sharing IV needles.

3. You will be required to undergo mandatory testing (e.g., for military service, Foreign Service, Job Corp application). Since mandatory test results will become part of a permanent record, you might want to receive anonymous testing and counseling first, and perhaps withdraw your application if the results are positive.

Anonymous Testing
The only way to guarantee that you control the test results is through an anonymous test. Most states have anonymous test sites, where your name is not taken and no other personal identifier is used. Usually, you are given a number that you must present in person to obtain the results.  The only people who will know the results are those whom you decide to tell.

Confidential Testing
In a confidential test your results become a part of your medical record. Like other parts of your medical record, this information is protected. Once this information becomes part of your medical record -- even a student's medical record at a college or university -- it may be seen by health care workers, insurers or employers. Your status also may become known if you make a claim for health insurance benefits or apply for life insurance.

What Test Results Mean
HIV tests can identify HIV antibodies in the blood as early as two weeks after infection, but your body may take up to six months to make a measurable amount of antibodies. The average time is 25 days.

A SEROPOSITIVE result on an HIV test indicates the presence of HIV antibodies. A confirmed positive test result means that you have been infected with HIV and probably will remain infected. The onset of AIDS may take up to 10 or more years. Drug treatments are available that can further delay the development of AIDS.

A SERONEGATIVE result usually indicates that you are not infected with HIV. However, you should be re-tested in six months if you have engaged in high-risk behavior during the past six months, because it may take this long for your immune system to produce enough antibodies.

Anyone who receives an HIV test should seek counseling before and after the test in order to understand the results, discuss prevention methods and, if necessary, discuss drug treatment options.

Thanks to the American Association for World Health and the American College Health Association for this information.

***UPDATED: September 2007***