Should I be tested for HIV?

If you or your partner is a member of a community with higher rates of HIV, and you are sexually active, it’s a good idea to be tested for HIV regularly. Health care providers can talk to you about how often you need HIV testing

Early in the epidemic, HIV established itself in a small number of populations, which still face higher prevalence of HIV today. In Ontario, this includes the following:

• Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, including cis and trans men
• People who inject drugs
• African, Caribbean, and Black people
• Indigenous people
• Cis and trans women whose sexual or drug using partners are members of these populations

But HIV can affect anyone. Not everyone in these communities is more likely to get HIV, and HIV can also affect people who are not part of these communities.

You can find out about your own risk using the button below.

If you are sexually active or you inject drugs, health care providers can advise you on how often you should be tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted or bloodborne infections.

Remember, HIV often shows no symptoms for years. So if you are more likely to acquire HIV, you should take a test.

If you think you may have been exposed to HIV, seek an HIV test right away

• Take a risk assessment

HIV testing is simple, easy, and free, and there are options for you to test however suits you best: With your health care provider, at a sexual health clinic, at a walk-in centre, or by ordering a self-test kit online.

All clinic-based HIV-STI testing is free in Ontario, and the results are kept confidential. If you are concerned about someone knowing that you are getting an HIV test:

• Test yourself: Order a free self-test online from GetaKit or purchase one at a pharmacy or directly from the manufacturer.
• Test anonymously: Go to one of the clinics that provides anonymous testing.

• Self-test kit (from GetaKit)
• Self-test kit (from manufacturer)
• Sexual health clinics