You can email us with testing questions or to find free testing near you: m4mInformation@pitt.edu

If you reside in Pennsylvania, you can get a free HIV self-test kit delivered to your home by filling out the online form at getmyHIVtest.com. To find HIV/STD testing, as well as other HIV/STD services, you can also go to the CDC map at: gettested.cdc.gov. 

If you still need help in finding free testing, you can send us your zip code and we’ll respond with testing options near you. Send messages to m4mInformation@pitt.edu with the word “testing” in the subject line. We’ll get back to you usually within 24 hours.

Most centers will test for HIV for free. Some have rapid testing, which means you can get results on the spot. Other centers also test for other STDs, including Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and Herpes. If you don’t get result on your first try, you may need to broaden your search area beyond the preset ten mile radius.

It’s also worth noting that research shows if you get an STI, you’re more likely to get HIV than someone who is STI-free. For example, syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that shares similar transmission methods with HIV. The signs and symptoms for syphilis are not immediately apparent as it may take several weeks before they appear. The most common symptoms for syphilis are a painless sore (chancre) on the penis, vagina, or rectum and a rash on the hands, feet, or abdomen. If not examined, tested and treated by a health care provider, these signs and symptoms will eventually disappear and may eventually lead to neurological damage. As a result, it is suggested by the CDC and the Pennsylvania Department of Health that individuals who engage in high risk sexual behavior get routine STI testing that includes chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV.

The CDC provides answers to some of the most common questions related to HIV testing, including the types of tests available and what to expect when you go to get tested. Go to the CDC Q&A page for more information.