The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone between the ages of 15 and 65 years test for HIV once in their lifetime as part of routine health care. Persons at high risk for HIV, should consider annual screening.
One in five people in the United States who have HIV do not know they are infected, so even people who do not think they are at-risk should undergo testing.
For an HIV test, you will have blood drawn to see if your body is making antibodies for HIV.
This test can usually first detect HIV 18-45 days after exposure.
Test results are typically available within 1 week.