Getting tested for HIV and other STIs can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be.
At The Project we do everything we can to help you feel comfortable and relaxed. Below we have compiled the answers to many of the questions people come to us with before or after their appointments.
If you have any questions that weren’t answered here, just stop by, schedule an appointment, or give us a call at (515) 248-1595 and ask for a Prevention Specialist.
Questions About Getting Tested
What can I expect to happen when I arrive for my appointment at the Project?
Everything we talk about at your appointment is confidential. Your privacy is important and we take it seriously. Our testing conversations are protected by HIPPA, which means we are legally not allowed to repeat anything that you tell us during your appointment to anyone not involved in your medical care.
*We are required by state law to report positive HIV and STI test results to the Department of Public Health
The Project is a sex-positive clinic. That means we support any consensual sexual behaviors you enjoy and practice.
Our space is a judgment-free zone. We see people from all walks of life who have different sexual interests and desires! Come as you are, because no matter who you are or what you do, we think you’re pretty darn cool.
Some boring paperwork. After a prevention specialist makes you comfortable and answers any questions, you’ll complete some paperwork, so that we can follow up with you about your results.
*We are required by state law to report positive HIV and STI test results to the Department of Public Health
The Project is a sex-positive clinic. That means we support any consensual sexual behaviors you enjoy and practice.
Our space is a judgment-free zone. We see people from all walks of life who have different sexual interests and desires! Come as you are, because no matter who you are or what you do, we think you’re pretty darn cool.
Some boring paperwork. After a prevention specialist makes you comfortable and answers any questions, you’ll complete some paperwork, so that we can follow up with you about your results.
What STIs does The Project test for?
At The Project you can be tested for HIV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis and Hepatitis C.
Can I get tested for Genital Herpes and HPV at The Project?
We do not provide testing for Genital Herpes and HPV because they can be hard to detect in a blood test and require a medical provider to do a physical exam.
If you are experiencing symptoms and want to seek treatment, you can schedule an appointment with our conveniently attached Primary Health Care University Medical Clinic.
If you are experiencing symptoms and want to seek treatment, you can schedule an appointment with our conveniently attached Primary Health Care University Medical Clinic.
How do I know what STI tests I need?
At your appointment, we will go over a few questions about your sexual history. These questions help us to make recommendations about which HIV/STI test(s) will be best for you. The types of tests we offer are listed below:
HIV: Everyone should get an HIV test at least once a year. You should get tested more often if you have a partner living with HIV, are in an open relationship, are a sex worker, share needles for any purposes or if any of your partners fall into these catagories. We also recommend gay, bi, and other men who have sex with men, as well as people who identify as trans get tested more frequently.
Hepatitis C (HCV): If you have ever shared needles or used drugs intravenously. If you are over the age of 65 and have never had an HCV test.
Rectal Swab: If you have bottomed (receptive partner during anal) or shared toys analy we recommend a rectal swab.
Throat Swab: If you perform oral sex we recommend a throat swab.
Urine Catch: If you top (insertive partner during anal), receive oral sex on your vagina or penis, or have insertive vaginal sex, we recommend a urine catch.
Don’t worry about coming to your appointment knowing exactly what you need to be tested for! We will go over all of this when we ask you about your sexual history.
HIV: Everyone should get an HIV test at least once a year. You should get tested more often if you have a partner living with HIV, are in an open relationship, are a sex worker, share needles for any purposes or if any of your partners fall into these catagories. We also recommend gay, bi, and other men who have sex with men, as well as people who identify as trans get tested more frequently.
Hepatitis C (HCV): If you have ever shared needles or used drugs intravenously. If you are over the age of 65 and have never had an HCV test.
Rectal Swab: If you have bottomed (receptive partner during anal) or shared toys analy we recommend a rectal swab.
Throat Swab: If you perform oral sex we recommend a throat swab.
Urine Catch: If you top (insertive partner during anal), receive oral sex on your vagina or penis, or have insertive vaginal sex, we recommend a urine catch.
Don’t worry about coming to your appointment knowing exactly what you need to be tested for! We will go over all of this when we ask you about your sexual history.
When should I make an appointment to get tested for an STI?
Below we have outlined a few of our general recommendations for situations when you should make an appointment to get tested.
- Before or after you have new partner or a partner that sleeps with others
- If you’ve been exposed to an STI
- Before or after you’ve shared needles
- If you are taking PrEP
- If you are considering taking PrEP
- If you are considering having sex
How often should I get tested for HIV/STIs?
How often you need to come in for an appointment depends on what you want to get tested for, and how sexually active you are. If you are a sexually active adult you should get tested every 3 to 12 months depending on the number of partners you have and your level of sexual activity.
Below we have outlined the specific recommendations from the CDC for each of the tests that we offer:
HIV. The CDC recommends that everyone should get tested for HIV at least once in their lifetime. People who have sex with new partners or more frequently should get tested once a year. Men who have sex with men, trans people, people who inject drugs, and others who may not use condoms should get tested every 3 to 4 months.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea. These are common and easily treated sexually transmitted infections. If you are sexually active you should get tested at least once per year.
Syphilis. Did you know that you can have syphilis for 10 years, but not have symptoms? It is more common in men and if not treated it can cause serious health issues. Once detected syphilis is easy to treat with antibiotics. The CDC recommends that if you are having sex you should get tested at least once per year.
Hepatitis C (HCV). You should get tested for Hepatitis C if you were born between 1945-1965, you inject drugs or have partners who inject drugs.
Below we have outlined the specific recommendations from the CDC for each of the tests that we offer:
HIV. The CDC recommends that everyone should get tested for HIV at least once in their lifetime. People who have sex with new partners or more frequently should get tested once a year. Men who have sex with men, trans people, people who inject drugs, and others who may not use condoms should get tested every 3 to 4 months.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea. These are common and easily treated sexually transmitted infections. If you are sexually active you should get tested at least once per year.
Syphilis. Did you know that you can have syphilis for 10 years, but not have symptoms? It is more common in men and if not treated it can cause serious health issues. Once detected syphilis is easy to treat with antibiotics. The CDC recommends that if you are having sex you should get tested at least once per year.
Hepatitis C (HCV). You should get tested for Hepatitis C if you were born between 1945-1965, you inject drugs or have partners who inject drugs.
When will I get the results from my HIV/STI test?
For some tests like Hepatitis C and HIV we can give you your initial results during your appointment. Results for other STIs like Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, or Syphilis can take up to 7 business days to come back.
We like to say, no news from us is good news. If we don’t call you with your results, it means everything came back clear.
We like to say, no news from us is good news. If we don’t call you with your results, it means everything came back clear.
How do I prepare for doing a urine catch at my testing appointment?
Try not to urinate one hour before providing your urine sample. Do not douche, wash, vaginally within 48 hours of your test. If you are on antibiotics, wait one week of being off before coming in to test, or retest if necessary.
How long should I wait to get tested after anal douching?
If you are getting a rectal swab, while there is no data on anal douching before STI testing, we suggest not douching within the 48 hours before your tests. That way there is less risk of getting a false negative.
Questions about HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV)
How do you test for HIV?
At The Project, we have two rapid HIV tests available. The Insti rapid HIV test takes 1 minute, and all we need is a prick of blood from your finger. This test will work best if you are 6-8 weeks away from when you were exposed to HIV.
The Determine rapid HIV test takes about 20 minutes, and we do this test if you have had a new partner in the last 6 weeks and are not on PrEP or if you are getting tested before starting PrEP.
If you’ve been exposed to HIV in the last 6 to 8 weeks it could be too soon for these tests to detect HIV. If that is the case at your appointment, we encourage you to come back at a later date to get tested again or discuss other options for testing.
In the case that your rapid HIV test comes back “Reactive” we will do a blood draw and send it to a lab for further evaluation, we’ll have you come back within 3 business days to discuss the results.
The Determine rapid HIV test takes about 20 minutes, and we do this test if you have had a new partner in the last 6 weeks and are not on PrEP or if you are getting tested before starting PrEP.
If you’ve been exposed to HIV in the last 6 to 8 weeks it could be too soon for these tests to detect HIV. If that is the case at your appointment, we encourage you to come back at a later date to get tested again or discuss other options for testing.
In the case that your rapid HIV test comes back “Reactive” we will do a blood draw and send it to a lab for further evaluation, we’ll have you come back within 3 business days to discuss the results.
What happens if my HIV test comes back positive?
Our team is here to support you. If your test is positive, that doesn’t necessarily mean you have HIV. While the tests are very accurate, there is the possibility that it could be a false positive. In order to learn more we’ll draw a little more blood to send to a lab for confirmation.
For HIV results we ask that you come back to the clinic to discuss results in person. HIV results come back within 3 business days. While we wait for results the Prevention Specialist will call to check in with you, answer any questions, and confirm an appointment time.
At the appointment you and the Prevention Specialist will discuss results. If an HIV infection is confirmed the Prevention Specialist will work with you to decide where you would like to start medical care, either at Primary Health Care or another medical clinic and make the appropriate referrals. We will have a nurse, case manager, and behavioral health consultant ready to begin care if you choose.
HIV is easily managed with medication, at The Project we understand that each individual will respond differently to an HIV diagnosis and there may be things that make engaging in medical care difficult. Our case management and medical team specialize in providing medical care and social support for people living with HIV. Know that we will be here every step of the way to help you navigate your diagnosis.
For HIV results we ask that you come back to the clinic to discuss results in person. HIV results come back within 3 business days. While we wait for results the Prevention Specialist will call to check in with you, answer any questions, and confirm an appointment time.
At the appointment you and the Prevention Specialist will discuss results. If an HIV infection is confirmed the Prevention Specialist will work with you to decide where you would like to start medical care, either at Primary Health Care or another medical clinic and make the appropriate referrals. We will have a nurse, case manager, and behavioral health consultant ready to begin care if you choose.
HIV is easily managed with medication, at The Project we understand that each individual will respond differently to an HIV diagnosis and there may be things that make engaging in medical care difficult. Our case management and medical team specialize in providing medical care and social support for people living with HIV. Know that we will be here every step of the way to help you navigate your diagnosis.
How do you test for Hepatitis C (HCV)?
We have one rapid Hepatitis C (HCV) test available through The Project, the 20 minute OraQuick HCV Antibody Test. This test has a window period of 4 to 6 weeks – that means if you’ve gotten a Hepatitis C infection within that time this test may not be able to detect the infection. We encourage people to come back and get tested again if this is the case.
If your rapid HCV test comes back “Reactive” we will do a blood draw and send it to a lab for further evaluation, you will be contacted with the results of the blood draw within 3 weeks.
If your rapid HCV test comes back “Reactive” we will do a blood draw and send it to a lab for further evaluation, you will be contacted with the results of the blood draw within 3 weeks.
What happens if my Hepatitis C (HCV) test comes back positive?
Remember that if your test is positive, that doesn’t necessarily mean you have HCV. We will take a little more blood to send to a lab for more testing. Usually, we get the results in 3 weeks, and we will give you a call to go over your results and the next steps.
If you are positive for HCV you can get treatment right here at the Primary Health Care Medical Clinic, and if the cost is a barrier you can talk to your provider or our pharmacist about financial assistance programs that we have available.
Questions about PrEP and Healthy Sex
Can you help me get started taking PrEP?
Yes! For people at risk of acquiring HIV, PrEP is a fantastic treatment that can reduce the risk of infection by up to 99% when taken daily! It can give you a lot of peace of mind when it comes to having healthy sex.
Our staff will walk you through the process of getting started with PrEP, help you schedule an appointment with a medical provider, and talk about ways to pay for your medication including financial assistance for those who qualify! In fact, most of our patients don’t pay anything for PrEP.
Remember PrEP is only effective in preventing HIV, and not other STIs. Still continue to practice health sex habits like using a condom to prevent chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.
Our staff will walk you through the process of getting started with PrEP, help you schedule an appointment with a medical provider, and talk about ways to pay for your medication including financial assistance for those who qualify! In fact, most of our patients don’t pay anything for PrEP.
Remember PrEP is only effective in preventing HIV, and not other STIs. Still continue to practice health sex habits like using a condom to prevent chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.
Who can get free healthly sex supplies like condoms and lube from The Project?
Anyone! Before you leave your appointment take all the free condoms and lube you could ask for. Don’t be shy, take as much as you want! We also offer free bleach kits and sharps containers.