Understanding Test Results:
Positive, Negative, & Unclear
Knowing your HIV status is an important step toward protecting your health, the health of your partners, and your community. Whether your result is negative, positive, or unclear, decoding what it means is key. Understanding your result helps you figure which next steps may be right for you.
What Does A Negative Result Mean?
A negative result means that you are likely HIV negative, if it has been at least 3 months since your last risk event.
Negative
If there's one line next to the "C" and no line next to the "T," the result is negative.
Positive
If there are two lines, one next to the "C" and any line next to the "T,"
- even if its a faint line - the result is positive.
What Does A Positive
Result Mean?
A positive result means that you may have HIV. Additional (confirmatory) HIV testing is needed to know for sure if you do.
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POSITIVE OR UNCLEAR
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF THE TEST RESULT IS POSITIVE?
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Every reactive (positive) test must be confirmed by a second test.
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Click here for information about how to find a provider who can perform a confirmatory test and help you connect to care if the result is confirmed positive.​
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If you do not have a provider or would like alternative resources or support, you can call the 24/7 hotline listed on the HIV self-test kit package.
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Avoid sexual contact and sharing needles or drug equipment.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF THE TEST RESULT IS UNCLEAR?
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A test result that is unclear should be followed-up with a second test.
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Click here for information on how to find a provider who can perform an additional test, help you understand the result, and explain prevention options if appropriate.​
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If you do not have a provider or would like alternative resources or support, you can call the 24/7 hotline listed on the HIV self-test kit package.
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Avoid sexual contact and sharing needles or drug equipment.
Support at Every Step
If your test result is confirmed positive, know that:
HIV treatment is very effective, and people living with HIV who adhere to treatment live long, healthy, lives.
Treatment for HIV is available immediately, regardless of if you have insurance or not.
​​It is important that you connect with a provider who can help guide you through the process of engaging in care and starting treatment.
Negative Results:
Consider PrEP
A negative result is a great opportunity to think about the future of your sexual health. An important thing to keep in mind is that HIV is preventable. If you're HIV-negative and experience ongoing exposures to HIV, you may want consider starting PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis), a safe, daily pill or long-acting injection that is very effective at preventing HIV.
Want more information on PrEP and how to get it?
Click Here
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