Health Advocacy

At-Home HIV Testing

Please note: our at-home HIV testing service is currently postponed. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but encourage you to make an in-person appointment with us or utilize our other health services. Thanks for your understanding!

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For those who face barriers to accessing in-person tests, At-Home HIV Testing is a certified substitute.

Whether it’s concerns for COVID-19 or the challenge of accessing affirming and confidential care in your neighborhood, Gay City is here for you.

This HIV testing alternative is free and accessible to residents of Washington state thanks to the Washington State Department of Health.

Cost

This test is  free and accessible to all King County residents.

Timeline
  • Access to receive the test is about one week.
  • Access to results is about 2 weeks after you send the test.
How do I prepare for and administer the test?
  • Test kits include all necessary instructions, and Gay City staff will walk you through how to use the kit. 
  • Please be in a stable environment (e.g. not on the bus) with a clean surface area. Please wash your hands before administering the test. 
  • The only after-care supplies you may need is a bandaid. The test involves a tiny finger-prick, and minimal bleeding if any is expected for most clients. 
What if test supplies are missing?

If any supplies needed for the test are missing, please contact Gay City. 

How do I access my results?

You can access your results through our free HIV/STI confidential testing portal. After meeting with a health advocate, you will receive a unique login to enter at gaycity.org/TestingResults.

What's the difference between At-Home testing and In-Person testing?

In-Person testing connects you with a warm, HIV/STI health advocate who will help you administer your test, immediately answer your sexual health questions, and assist you in developing or recovering from a relapse from your sexual health plan. They can also connect you to health resources needed.

At-home testing will provide you with the opportunity to administer your own test. You can also schedule a virtual appointment with a HIV/STI health advocate to walk through testing needs, address sexual health and sexual health plan questions.

What should I do with the test materials after I've taken the test?

After sending the test, please remove any labels with your name. Then dispose of the kit and name separately. You can dispose of the kit with your regular garbage and recycling routines; no extra precautions are necessary.

How soon after an HIV infection could someone test positive with this test?

Approximately 95% of clients that have contracted HIV will test positive 28 days post-exposure, but many will be detectable sooner. It is recommended to get tested 28 days after a potential exposure.

What do I do if I was exposed to HIV within the last 72 hours?

Please visit an emergency room and request Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) as soon as possible after being exposed to HIV, up to 72 hours after exposure.

What type of HIV test is this?

This is a 4th generation Ab/Ag test.

Questions

If you have questions about testing or seek tips for your sexual health, please contact [email protected] or call (206) 486-1426.