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Where do you get tested for HIV?

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Contributor: Fishie Princess Fishie Princess
I'm wondering where folks get tested for HIV, how often, and why. What makes you choose one testing site over another? Please tell me a little about the testing sites you love, and the ones you hate below.

If you don't get tested, I'd love to know what barriers you've encountered. Please share as much additional information in the comments below as you feel comfortable.
Answers (private voting - your screen name will NOT appear in the results):
I get tested at my doctor's office
13  (23%)
I get tested at a community health clinic (not where my doctor works)
19  (34%)
I get tested at a mobile testing site
2  (4%)
I get tested at a non-medical community center/organization
3  (5%)
I get tested somewhere else
2  (4%)
I don't get tested
17  (30%)
Total votes: 56
Poll is closed
02/08/2012
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Contributor: bayosgirl bayosgirl
I've never been tested for HIV.
02/09/2012
Contributor: Ghost Ghost
I get tested at my school for free.
02/09/2012
Contributor: Airen Wolf Airen Wolf
(EF Review Program Mentor)
Quote:
Originally posted by Fishie Princess
I'm wondering where folks get tested for HIV, how often, and why. What makes you choose one testing site over another? Please tell me a little about the testing sites you love, and the ones you hate below.

If you don't get tested, ... more
My Dr. knows about my lifestyle and does all my testing. He always asks if I need to be tested at every physical and I always say yes If my risk goes up or I know I have been exposed then I feel confident I can call him and ask if I need to be tested and how often.
02/09/2012
Contributor: deltalima deltalima
Quote:
Originally posted by Fishie Princess
I'm wondering where folks get tested for HIV, how often, and why. What makes you choose one testing site over another? Please tell me a little about the testing sites you love, and the ones you hate below.

If you don't get tested, ... more
I need to but am not sure where.
02/09/2012
Contributor: BobbiJay BobbiJay
Quote:
Originally posted by deltalima
I need to but am not sure where.
You can go to Planned Parenthood. and if you can't afford it or don't have insurance, it is free.
02/09/2012
Contributor: BobbiJay BobbiJay
I get tested every 6 months religiously. Every 3 months for any other std.
02/09/2012
Contributor: unfulfilled unfulfilled
I was going to say the department of health in whatever state you live in should do it which is similar to planned parenthood.
02/09/2012
Contributor: Chris Corrigan Chris Corrigan
I get tested every four months at my doctors office. My college also provides free confidential testing but I've never gotten tested through them.
02/09/2012
Contributor: RonLee RonLee
If you are a veteran, contact your local VA clinic.
02/09/2012
Contributor: SparklyGlitter SparklyGlitter
I got tested at a local clinic for the first time a couple mths ago. I was scared going in but everything turned out fine. Now just need to get the bf in there too
02/09/2012
Contributor: kawigrl kawigrl
as of now %50 of the poll isn't getting tested
02/09/2012
Contributor: Ms. Spice Ms. Spice
I get tested my local health department.
02/09/2012
Contributor: Ciao. Ciao.
I have never been tested, but I've only had intercourse with one person since becoming sexually active (and oral with two others) so my level of concern is a little less. If that changes at all I'll probably go get tested.
02/09/2012
Contributor: TboyTy TboyTy
I get tested at least every six months, three if I've been more active, and always before certain types of play.

I go to the county health department, its $20 for the whole spectrum of testing. My experiences with some of the staff have been less than stellar but the testing's cheap and they end up with a bit of trans education so it works out for the best.
02/11/2012
Contributor: PeachieClean PeachieClean
I have my doc test me for everything under the sun. I just like to be careful, and I trust my doctor.
02/11/2012
Contributor: K101 K101
Most people said they get tested at their Health Dept. or Planned Parenthood clinic. I have to say this... A lot of those places are supposed to test women every 6-12 months and they don't. I'm not sure how so many women don't notice that they did not do a test for HIV, but a lot of people think it's included in the regular annual exam and the "dr." actually says nothing and you go home thinking you were tested.

The reason I mentioned that is just incase others think they've been, but aren't sure if their doctor actually did the test or not. I have been going to the same dang department for years and some of the nurses would automatically test me with my yearly and then I've came across some who acted like HIV tests don't exist and I EVEN had one nurse who said she tested me and gave me the usual "if we call in a week then we'll need to talk and if not, you're good!" I was like... LADY! You did not even test me! That's really a crappy thing to do and we need to be aware that doctors will do that. Needless to say, that nurse DID NOT last long.

So I get tested at the health department in my area because it's far more convenient than anywhere else. I've no idea why they don't make things easier in my area.
02/11/2012
Contributor: Ms. Spice Ms. Spice
Quote:
Originally posted by K101
Most people said they get tested at their Health Dept. or Planned Parenthood clinic. I have to say this... A lot of those places are supposed to test women every 6-12 months and they don't. I'm not sure how so many women don't notice that ... more
This is one of those things you have to ask for. So are the STD tests. The Dr. can't assume every single thing that someone needs, so it's up to a responsible, sexually active person to ask for the services needed.

I do agree that education would be incredibly helpful, because for the first couple years, I didn't know that when I went to the Dr., I had to ask for an HIV test- they just don't perform it on me. It would definitely reduce the spread of disease.
02/11/2012
Contributor: MGDavicnigirl MGDavicnigirl
Because of our lifestyle we get tested every 90 days. We always practice safe sex, oral too, but we just want to be certain!
02/11/2012
Contributor: married with children married with children
I have never gotten tested. My wife and I have only been with each other, so we do not need to worry about getting tested.
02/11/2012
Contributor: SmutGeek SmutGeek
Both myself and my partners get tested for HIV and STIs at the local clinic due to lack of insurance.

I've only ever been with my husband as far as guys go but we do have sex with other girls sometimes (so far only 2, we're picky lol) and we like all 3 of us to get tested before having sex with a new partner, just in case.
02/11/2012
Contributor: MasonM MasonM
Quote:
Originally posted by Fishie Princess
I'm wondering where folks get tested for HIV, how often, and why. What makes you choose one testing site over another? Please tell me a little about the testing sites you love, and the ones you hate below.

If you don't get tested, ... more
I was tested just before my marriage along with my husband (required by law here) at a local health clinic.

Since then, I've had two partners other than him (both with his consent) and knew they were both clean. I also used protection in both cases.
03/02/2012
Contributor: Harpina is gone Harpina is gone
At a community health clinic.
03/05/2012
Contributor: Lock Lock
Local free clinic.
03/05/2012
Contributor: Interesante Interesante
I've never been tested, but then again, I've never had sex where I even had a chance of getting HIV (no genital to genital contact or anything) so it's nothing I've had to worry about... Yet.
03/10/2012
Contributor: C-Rae C-Rae
Find a clinic. Even if it's not free it's worth the money. It IS your life after all.
03/10/2012
Contributor: Deleted25 Deleted25
I get tested at my yearly gyno appts even though im married I still want to have a test done not saying I dont trust my husband but I always do all of the tests that they offer. I would rather test and know than not. If you have never been tested I know where I live you can go to the health department and get tested for free.
03/10/2012
Contributor: thisisadeletedaccount thisisadeletedaccount
My college has a mobile testing truck that comes around once a week, I get tested there.
05/21/2012
Contributor: sexxxkitten sexxxkitten
Community health clinic
05/21/2012
Contributor: KrissyNovacaine KrissyNovacaine
Most of the time I go to a health clinic, but if I have a doctor's appointment for something else when I am due to be tested than I get it done while I am there.
05/21/2012