HIV Testing
UCI Health Education partners with the Student Health Center to make Anonymous HIV Antibody Testing available to all UCI community members.
Appointments are recommended, and testing takes place every Tuesday and Wednesday from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at UCI Health Education, G319 Student Center. All parts of the testing process, from making an appointment to getting your result, are completely anonymous. Our phone number: (949)UCI-WELL or (949)824-9355.
Should I get tested for HIV?
An individual's behaviors are what determine whether they are at risk for HIV. In other words, it's not who you are, it's what you do. Consider getting tested if:
- You have had vaginal or anal sex (partial or complete) without using a condom or latex barrier from start to finish.
- You have had contact with sexual fluids (semen, pre-ejaculate or pre-cum, vaginal and cervical secretions of another person) through mouth to genital touching or by sharing sex toys without using a condom or latex barrier from start to finish.
- You have had sexual contact with someone whose sexual history indicates possible risk for HIV.
- You were stuck by a needle, or shared needles or injection equipment with blood on or in them for any reason.
When is the best time for me to get tested?
The test used to detect HIV infection actually looks for antibodies produced by your body to fight HIV. Most people will develop detectable antibodies after 4-12 weeks from infection. In rare cases, it can take up to 6 months. For 99.9% accuracy, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommends testing 6 months after the last possible exposure (unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex or sharing needles).
Therefore, if you are worried about exposure to HIV because of a particular partner or sexual behavior, wait at least 3 months and ideally 6 months to test. Keep in mind that you will need to re-test again if you decide to not wait out the full six-month window period.
What happens during testing?
In the first visit, each tester meets privately with a trained staff member for a brief dialogue about behaviors and partners that might represent HIV risk. During this session, the tester gets a unique number, which links his or her paperwork and oral fluid sample to his/her result.
How is my test sample collected?
You will be instructed to place a special OraSure collection device in your mouth for about 3 minutes to gather oral mucosal transudate (NOT saliva), a fluid that can be tested for the presence of HIV-1 antibodies. A local lab will test your sample, and return the result to us. OraSure is over 99% accurate in detecting HIV-1 antibodies.
How long does it take to get my result?
Test results are available 7 days later. A result must be picked up in person (never over the phone) by the tester and is given out only after demographic information is verified and the tester's unique ID number is matched to the result. NO EXCEPTIONS.
How do I make an appointment?
Drop by or call to make an appointment (949) 824-9355. Testing is offered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 2-4 pm during the academic year (except finals and breaks).
