HIV Testing
The Santa Cruz AIDS Project provides free and anonymous rapid result HIV testing. The test is administered by California State Certified Test Counselors and is done through an oral swab - no blood or urine. The visit takes 20-25 minutes and results are given the same day. SCAP is now offering confidential rapid Hepatitis C testing for those who qualify. This rapid Hep C test is administered through a finger prick and also takes 20-25 minutes to develop results.
When a person becomes infected with HIV, the body takes time to develop enough antibodies to show up on an HIV antibody test. This period of time when people are infected with HIV, but do not yet have enough antibodies to show up on the test, is called the “window period”. People infected with HIV usually develop detectable antibodies between 2 weeks and 6 months after exposure, with many people developing enough antibodies by 3 months. If you get a negative HIV antibody test result during the window period, you should be re-tested 3 months after your possible exposure to HIV. If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at (831) 427-3900 and ask to speak with an HIV Test Counselor.
Due to our CDC funding requirements, free and anonymous HIV testing is only available for the following populations in our Santa Cruz Office:
- Men having sex with men
- Sex partners or injection drug use partners of people who are HIV positive
- Injection drug users
- Those who have been sexually assaulted
- Women whose partners: are male and inject drugs and or are male and have sex with other men
There are no restrictions to testing in our Watsonville Office.
|
Testing Locations |
Testing Hours |
|
SCAP Main Office |
Wednesdays: 5:30PM-8:00PM (Gay and Bi Men Only) |
|
Cabrillo Student Resource Center |
First and Third Wednesdays: 4:30PM-6:00PM |
All other community members are encouraged to ask their healthcare provider for an HIV Test.
Appointments can also be made at North or South County Planned Parenthood. Call (831) 426-5550 for a confidential HIV Test.
For more information about HIV Testing in Santa Cruz County call: (831) 454-2437 or visit http://santacruzhealth.org/HSAHome/HSADivisions/PublicHealth/HIVAIDSServices/HIVTestingSitesinSantaCruzCounty.aspx