There’s a chance you might have HIV and not know it. Only 87 percent of those living with HIV in the U.S. have been diagnosed. If allowed to progress, the virus can evolve into AIDS and do irreparable harm to your immune system, severely limiting your treatment options.

Routine testing can help you stay negative and protect you in case of a positive result. Starting treatment as soon as HIV manifests is critical to preventing the virus from spreading. Even if you’ve been diagnosed with HIV, regular testing and prompt intervention may allow you to continue living a long and healthy life.

Our experienced pharmacists can work with you on a personalized symptom management and treatment plan as well as recommend lifestyle modifications to preserve your immune system and allow you to keep living normally.

Where to Find HIV/AIDS Tests

You can schedule a test at hospitals, clinics and pharmacies in Houston. Some pharmacies, including St. Hope’s, also provide FDA-approved home testing kits, which allow individuals to test themselves in the privacy of their homes.

There are rapid home tests, which give you quick results from your oral fluid or blood sample, and mail-in tests, in which you mail dried blood to a lab for testing. Although these tests are not definitive – if the results are positive, you’ll need to get tested by your healthcare provider to confirm the results.

At St. Hope Pharmacy, our expert pharmacists are committed to helping Houston residents receive accurate and fast results. We can test you for HIV or walk you through each step of the home testing kit during a one-on-one consultation.

Different Types of Tests for HIV or AIDS

Antibody Tests

• ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay): The most common type of HIV test, the ELISA detects antibodies produced by the immune system in response to HIV infection.

• Western Blot: This is a confirmatory test that detects specific proteins of the HIV virus. It is often used after the ELISA to confirm a positive result.

• Rapid Tests: If you think you’ve been exposed to HIV and want an immediate answer, your healthcare provider can conduct a rapid test of your blood, saliva or urine and give you results in as soon as 20 to 30 minutes.

However, these rapid tests are primarily for your own peace of mind. As previously mentioned, you’ll need to confirm a positive result with a more reliable test before your healthcare provider can start you on post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which can prevent the virus from manifesting.

Nucleic Acid Tests

• PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction): PCR detects the genetic material of the HIV virus. Since it’s more expensive, it’s not typically used for screening. However, because it is highly sensitive, PCR can detect the virus earlier than antibody tests, making it invaluable in cases where the virus has yet to fully form.

• RNA Test: RNA tests detect the presence of the virus's genetic material. Similar to PCR, it’s used in early detection, especially in cases of acute HIV infection.

How Much Do HIV or AIDS Tests Cost and Will My Insurance Cover It?

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), most new health insurance plans must cover certain recommended preventive services – including HIV testing for everyone aged 15 to 65 as well as those younger than 15 and older than 65 if they are at an increased risk – without additional cost-sharing such as copays or deductibles. Medicare can also cover HIV screenings every 12 months. If you are pregnant, you can get as many as three screenings a year fully covered.

Individuals with Medicare or Medicaid will also pay no more than 25 percent of their HIV prescriptions, whether they’re preventative or part of their antiretroviral therapy. And if you develop complications due to your immune system being weakened, you won’t be denied coverage due to having a pre-existing condition (in this case, HIV).

We Can Help You Monitor Your Health By Providing Thorough HIV/AIDS Testing

As a full-service pharmacy, St. Hope Pharmacy helps St. Hope Healthcare patients and non-patients stay on top of their HIV testing and treatment. If you are a high-risk individual or are concerned about potential infection, we can help you assess if you have HIV with prompt and compassionate service and will be there for you if the results are positive.

We have six pharmacies in the Houston metro area, including locations in Bellaire, Conroe, Houston, Sugar Land and Dickinson. Contact your closest location and schedule a one-on-one pharmacist consultation to learn more about our HIV services today.