Last reviewed: 16 September 2026
HIV testing is the only way to know your HIV status. HIV can be present without noticeable symptoms, so testing can help identify infection earlier and connect people with treatment, care and prevention services.
A single HIV test is only informative for the period it can reliably assess. If a possible exposure occurred recently, the window period of the specific test must always be taken into account.
You cannot determine whether you have HIV from symptoms, appearance or how you feel. Testing is the only way to know your HIV status.
If you receive a non-reactive result after a recent possible exposure, repeat testing may be necessary after the window period for the test you used.
Early diagnosis allows people with HIV to access antiretroviral therapy (ART) sooner. Modern HIV treatment can suppress the virus, protect the immune system and enable people with HIV to live long and healthy lives.
A reactive HIV self-test is not by itself a diagnosis. Follow-up testing by a trained healthcare provider or testing service is required before HIV is confirmed.
Testing can lead to diagnosis and treatment. When a person with HIV takes treatment as prescribed and achieves and maintains an undetectable viral load, they do not transmit HIV through sex. This is known as Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U).
Knowing your HIV status can help you discuss appropriate prevention options with a healthcare professional. These may include condoms, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), regular testing or other measures depending on your circumstances.
If a possible HIV exposure occurred within the last 72 hours, seek urgent medical advice about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Do not wait for symptoms or a self-test result.
HIV testing can be part of an open conversation about sexual health with a current or new partner. Testing together may help both partners understand their current HIV status and discuss prevention choices.
A previous non-reactive result does not guarantee that someone remains HIV-negative after later exposures, and a result obtained during the window period may need to be repeated.
HIV testing can be one part of broader sexual health care. However, an HIV test does not test for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Depending on your circumstances, a healthcare professional or sexual health service may recommend testing for other STIs as well as HIV.
Knowing HIV status before or during pregnancy allows appropriate medical care to begin when needed. For people with HIV, effective treatment during pregnancy can greatly reduce the risk of HIV transmission to the baby.
With appropriate HIV treatment during pregnancy and childbirth and appropriate care for the baby, the risk of perinatal HIV transmission can be reduced to 1% or less. Pregnancy and infant-feeding decisions should be discussed with a healthcare professional experienced in HIV care.
HIV self-testing can provide a private and convenient way to test. Depending on the product, a self-test may use oral fluid or finger-prick blood.
Always follow the manufacturer's Instructions for Use, including the stated window period, sample collection method and result interpretation.
A reactive self-test result requires follow-up testing by a trained healthcare provider or testing service.
For more information about timing, see our When to test for HIV? page.
