HIV Testing

Free, confidential HIV testing is available for people in Lorain County. The test is completed by a finger stick and results are available in 20 to 40 minutes. 

Should I get tested?

Everyone 13 to 64 years old should get tested for HIV at least once. If you're pregnant or planning to get pregnant, get tested as soon as possible to protect your baby.

Get tested at least once a year if you engage in these high-risk activities:

• Have sex with someone that you don't know their HIV status.
• Have sex with an HIV-positive partner.
• Share needles or inject drugs.
• Have another sexually transmitted disease, hepatitis or tuberculosis.
• Are a man that has sex with other men. 
• Have had more than one partner since your last HIV test.
• Exchange sex for drugs or money.

What is Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)?

HIV is an infection that may lead to AIDS if not treated. There is no cure for HIV or AIDS, but they may be controlled through treatment.

HIV is spread through infected blood, semen, vaginal fluid, breast milk and other body fluids containing blood. Infection can occur through sexual contact, sharing needles to inject drugs, and from mother to baby during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding.

How do I prevent HIV?

• Practice safe sex - always use a condom the right way every time you have sex with a partner whose HIV status is positive or unknown. Limit your number of sex partners.  Condoms are available at no cost at Lorain County Public Health.
• Do not share needles for any reason.
• If you are at a higher risk for getting but are HIV negative, ask your doctor about taking Pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP) medication daily.

Additional Resources:

• Conversation starters about testing, your status, and more
• HIV 101
• Search Free, Fast, and Confidential Testing Near You
• Planned Parenthood
• Family Planning Services of Lorain County
• Spanish Resources/Recursos en español
• LCCC Crisis Services

This service is funded through The Ohio Department of Health HIV Prevention grant. Materials adapted from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.