FAST, FREE, CONFIDENTIAL HIV TESTS! Walk-in or by appointment during DCAP's regular business hours

For more information please contact our staff Find a testing site!

If you think you may be at risk for HIV, but are not sure, you should take the HIV risk assessment.
You should NEVER use HIV testing as a means of preventing HIV. Always protect yourself when engaging in behavior that could result in HIV infection.

If you have engaged in any behavior that can transmit HIV it is very important that you seek counseling and testing for HIV.
To determine if someone has HIV, a lab test is performed which will identify HIV antibodies in the immune system. This test will not tell you if you have been exposed to HIV, only if your body could be responding to HIV infection. Testing and counseling is especially recommended for the following groups high risk individuals :

• People who have had unprotected anal, oral or vaginal sex.
• Pregnant women and women who plan to become pregnant.
• Sexual partners of injection drug users.
• Sexual partners of men who have sex with other men.
• Persons who have been incarcerated for more than 24 hours.
• Sexual partners of persons who have been incarcerated for more than 24 hours.
• Persons who have shared needles to inject any substance into their body.
• Persons who have sexually-transmitted diseases or infections or who have been sexually abused.
• Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C patients.
• Hemophiliacs and sexual partners of hemophiliacs
• Patients who received blood transfusions or other blood products between 1978 and 1985.
• Those who consider themselves to be at risk for HIV infection.

STD/I Information

Useful information about sexually transmitted diseases/infections   Download .pdf file

The Reader's Digest Version: HIV Testing

For more information about HIV testing,  please read this brochure   Download .pdf file

 

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Our members make it possible for our agency to offer this service to our community. We currently give out at least 20,000 condoms per year throughout Douglas, Franklin and Jefferson county to people who would have otherwise put themselves at risk for contracting HIV. Please condsider becoming a member. To make a contribution, please click here for a membership form. Local offices, business and organizations have agreed to put DCAP's Condom Bowl Sites View Map Show List out containers of free condoms at their places of business for community members to use.

Insider's guide to Taking an HIV test through DCAP
OpenOffice.org Writer	Download .odt file
Microsoft Office Word	Download .doc file

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The handout addresses the following questions :

• What to watch for?
• How does one get the STD?
• What happens if you don't get treated?
• Will condoms prevent infection?

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A POSITIVE test result means that HIV antibodies were possibly present in the sample provided. With all HIV testing, it is recommended that if you receive a positive test result, you test again as soon as possible to confirm the result. A NEGATIVE test result means that there were no antibodies present in the sample taken, although, depending on when the person was exposed to the virus in relation to testing, the result may still be positive. And the final possible result is INDETERMINANT, which basically means that there was a problem with the test, and the person should be tested again. Knowing your status is the first step to seeking medical attention and gaining access to effective treatment that can prolong your life and delay the onset of AIDS. Although HIV tests are over ninety-nine percent (99%) accurate, an individual needs to get a confirmatory test after receiving just one positive HIV test. Another thing you should consider when getting an HIV test is the "window period". The "window period" refers to the amount of time it could take for a person to produce enough antibodies to appear on the HIV test afer a possible exposure. It can take as long as three months from the time someone becomes infected until the time that there are enough antibodies to appear in a test. Therefore, if you are considering getting an HIV test, you should know that your test results may not be accurate if you have put yourself at risk within three months before taking a test. Your test counselor will talk with you more about the window period when you schedule your appointment.

TypeOral Swab	A tiny brush is used to swab the inside
of the mouth and then the sample is sent to a lab for screening. Note : The saliva and oral mucus contain antibodies to HIV not the HIV virus itself, so HIV is not transmitted through these fluids.
TypeBlood Draw	A blood sample is drawn from a vein
to check for the presence of antibodies to HIV.
Results get sent to a lab for processing. Depending on the testing site, results are generally available within 2 weeks. A standard test can be confidential or anonymous. If anonymous; the person's name, address and phone number will not be asked.
Required Information	Location (city/state/county of residence),
age (date of birth), race/ethnicity, and relationship status.
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TypeBlood Test	The test involves a pin prick on the tip
of your finger for a drop of blood that is placed in a vial of solution with a test strip.
The test strip is checked in 20 minutes, and if HIV antibodies are detected in the blood sample, the test result is labeled a preliminary positive. Otherwise, a non-reactive result is labeled negative and the test ends. Confirmatory test follows a reactive (preliminary positive) result. The type of confirmatory test varies with testing centers.
Required Information	Location (city/state/county of residence),
age (date of birth), race/ethnicity, and relationship status.
State regulations	Kansas requires the Rapid HIV Tests to
include the person's name, address, and phone number. These confidential test results are linked to you and reported to the state health department, who by public law cannot reveal your test results to anyone without your written permission.
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