Information on HIV testing: GMHC uses the Alere Determine HIV-1/2 Ag/Ab test for on-site testing and the INSTI HIV-1/2 Ab test at our off-site testing locations. These tests use a blood sample collected from a finger stick. Please click the links for further information on these HIV tests.

There is a period of time between an exposure to HIV and when a test can detect an HIV infection—this is known as the window period. Using the Alere Determine test, an infection can appear as early as 12 days after an exposure. However, it may take up to 90 days from the point of exposure for the Alere Determine HIV-1/2 Test to register 99% of all HIV infections. Using the INSTI test, an infection can appear as early as 21 days after an exposure. However, it may take up to 3 months from the point of exposure for the INSTI test to register 97% of all HIV infections.

If you have had a possible exposure to HIV within the past 3 months, the HIV test might not yet be able to accurately detect an HIV infection. If you test within 3 months of possible exposure and the result is negative, you should repeat the test at least 3 months after the possible exposure. If you have questions about this, please call the GMHC Testing Center at 212-367-1100.

Information on STI testing: You can be tested for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and/or hepatitis C at GMHC. Chlamydia/gonorrhea testing is performed using a self-collected urine sample and/or oropharyngeal swab and/or rectal swab. Syphilis testing is performed by venipuncture, or blood draw. Hepatitis C testing is performed with a rapid test using blood from a finger stick.

Symptoms of HIV
Acute HIV infection is a name for the earliest stage of HIV infection, when you first get infected with the HIV virus. Symptoms of acute HIV infection may include the following: fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, swollen tonsils, sore throat, joint and muscle aches, diarrhea, and rash. These signs and symptoms of acute HIV infection can begin a few days after you are exposed to HIV and usually last for about 14 days. These symptoms of HIV infection may feel just like other viral infections, so the only way to know if you have an HIV infection is to test for HIV. (Read more on the CDC website.)

If you are in the acute stage of HIV, it may be too early for a rapid HIV test to detect the infection.

If you are experiencing these symptoms and have had a possible exposure to HIV (like condomless sex or needle sharing with someone living with HIV or someone of unknown HIV status), you should call your doctor or the NYC Department of Health Sexual Health Clinic hotline at 347-396-7959 to request a test known as a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). This test uses blood drawn from a vein to look for the virus, and it will be the best way to screen for an HIV infection at this stage. You may call the GMHC Testing Center at 212-367-1100 for further information.

Symptoms of STIs
If you are experiencing possible symptoms of an STI, we suggest seeking immediate evaluation and treatment rather than testing at the GMHC Testing Center. This will allow you to be treated in a more timely manner. You should call your doctor or the NYC Department of Health Sexual Health Clinic hotline at 347-396-7959 to describe your symptoms. A provider at the NYC Department of Health Sexual Health Clinic may be able to prescribe you antibiotics for STI treatment by telemedicine. You may also be able to receive treatment without testing if a sexual partner has informed you that they have been diagnosed with an STI. You may call the GMHC Testing Center at 212-367-1100 for further information and assistance.

If you understand the above and would like to proceed with your appointment at the GMHC Testing Center, you may continue to book an appointment.