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You can always reach out to us directly and schedule a free and confidential HIV/STI test in person at our Chicagoland health clinic. If you don't live nearby, then get your free HIV self-test kit today.

No, modern HIV tests are very accurate and reliable. If someone has been infected with HIV for several months or years, it will show up on a standard HIV test. There is a short "window period" right after infection when tests might not detect the virus, but this usually only lasts a few weeks to a couple of months at most.

Yes, there are FDA-approved home testing kits for HIV. These kits usually involve pricking your finger for a small blood sample and then sending it to a lab for testing. Home tests can be a good first step, but it's crucial to follow up with a healthcare provider for confirmation and guidance on treatment if needed.

The short answer is: we don't have a widely available cure for HIV yet. A few people have been "functionally cured" after getting stem cell transplants for other health issues, but this is super rare and risky. For now, the best treatment is antiretroviral therapy (ART). It can't completely get rid of HIV, but it can keep the virus under control so people can live long, healthy lives. Scientists are still working hard to find a cure that works for everyone, but we're not quite there yet.

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It's a virus that affects the immune system.

The symptoms of HIV can vary depending on the stage of infection: Acute HIV Infection (2-4 weeks after infection): • Flu-like symptoms: fever, chills, rash, sore throat • Fatigue, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes • Mouth ulcers • Not everyone experiences symptoms at this stage Clinical Latency (Chronic HIV): • Often no symptoms for years • Virus multiplies at low levels • Possible mild symptoms: fever, fatigue, diarrhea, weight loss, oral yeast infection (thrush), shingles AIDS (Advanced HIV): • Severe damage to immune system • Opportunistic infections & cancers more likely • Symptoms: rapid weight loss, recurring fever, night sweats, extreme fatigue • Prolonged lymph node swelling, chronic diarrhea • Neurological issues like memory loss, depression • Pneumonia, skin lesions The only way to know your HIV status for sure is to get tested. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent progression to AIDS. If you think you may have been exposed, talk to a doctor about testing options.