Sometimes the test doesn’t give you a result. Usually when the test doesn’t work, it can mean you might have missed something in the instructions.

Don’t give up on getting tested! If the HIV self-test did not work, you can use another HIV self-test or find testing at a health care provider or testing center. Make sure to read the instructions before taking your test so you can get a result.

Remember: You should always interpret HIV self-test results according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Have questions or need a replacement test? Email us at support@together.takemehome.org or call 628-899-4662.

Getting a negative result can bring up a mix of emotions. Try not to judge yourself however you feel. It’s important to know that a negative result doesn’t necessarily mean that you don’t have HIV. That’s because of the window period for the test — the time between your last potential HIV exposure and when a test can detect HIV in your body.

Get tested again within 90 days

• If you used the HIV self-test from Together TakeMeHome within the window period of the test and the result is negative, get tested again 90 days after the possible HIV exposure.
• If you test again after the window period, have not had a possible HIV exposure during that time, and the result is negative, you do not have HIV.
• If you still have concerns about the test result, get tested by a health care provider.

Get tested for HIV at least once a year (or more often)

If you have any of the following experiences, you might want to get tested least once a year and your health care provider may recommend more frequent testing:

• You’re a man who has had sex with another man.
• You’ve had anal or vaginal sex with someone who has HIV.
• You’ve had more than one sex partner since your last HIV test.
• You’ve shared needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment (for example, cookers).
• You’ve exchanged sex for drugs or money.
• You’ve been diagnosed with or treated for another sexually transmitted infection.
• You’ve been diagnosed with or treated for hepatitis or tuberculosis (TB).
• You’ve had sex with someone who has done anything listed above or with someone whose sexual history you don’t know.

Talk with a healthcare provider about starting PrEP

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is medicine that reduces your chances of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV. Click here for more information about PrEP.

Let us know how your test went

We send a short survey 10 days and 60 days after you order to check in on how your self-test experience went. Filling out these surveys helps us make sure we are effectively reaching people about the program so that more people can get free tests. Make sure to check your email (including spam) for an email from support@together.takemehome.org or a text message from 628-899-4662. Thanks for helping us improve self-testing for everyone!

Getting a positive HIV test result can bring up a mix of emotions. Take a deep breath. It's important to take care of yourself and reach out to get support and treatment. If you're feeling anxious or upset, text Crisis Text Line at 741741 or visit CrisisTextLine.org to get immediate mental health support. You can also contact our support team at support@together.takemehome.org or call 628-899-4662 to talk about what comes next.

When you're ready to take the next step, find out more below.

Go to a clinic to confirm your results

If you received a positive result from the OraQuick® In-Home HIV Test (also known as a rapid HIV self-test), you will need to go to a clinic for a confirmatory test. This confirmatory test will confirm whether you have HIV or not. HIV self-tests can sometimes show a “false positive” result, meaning that your test says you’re positive but you actually don’t have HIV.

You cannot use a second HIV self-test from the Together TakeMeHome program to confirm these results.

If your confirmatory test at the clinic is negative, talk to the provider about starting PrEP

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is medicine that reduces your chances of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV. Click here for more info about PrEP.

If your confirmatory test at the clinic is positive, start HIV treatment

If the test from the provider is positive, that means that you have HIV, and you should begin treatment as soon as possible. The treatment is called antiretroviral therapy. Most people living with HIV can manage their HIV with only 1 pill a day. Usually, you can start HIV treatment the same day you receive your test result at a clinic.

Stay on treatment

People living with HIV can live long and healthy lives. Taking your meds every day–called treatment adherence–can reduce your viral load (the amount of HIV in your body) and help you become undetectable. Being undetectable means that your HIV is managed and that you can’t pass HIV on to your sex partners.

Get support

Everyone reacts differently to their HIV diagnosis. Be kind to yourself however you’re feeling about it. When you’re ready to talk about it, reach out to a trusted person and tell them what is going on so they can support you. You can also find a mental health provider or join a support group if you aren’t ready to tell your loved ones yet. There are online forums to talk to other people living with HIV for support. Be sure to ask your HIV medical provider about mental health support resources available through their clinic.

Get help paying for HIV treatment

Click here to learn more about the Ryan White program, which provides financial support for HIV medications and other medical care. You can also reach out to your state HIV hotline to get connected to local resources.

Tell recent sex partners or people you’ve shared syringes or works within the last 12 months about your result

You might feel awkward, scared, or worried about their reaction. When you get your results from your confirmatory test at the clinic, someone there can help notify your partners for you if you want.

For tips on how to tell partners yourself, here are some suggestions. If you want to tell your partners yourself, but want to do so anonymously, TellYourPartner.org provides a way to text them. You’re helping them make sure they can get tested and treated quickly if they also have HIV.

This can be a huge life transition, but please know that there is support waiting for you.

Let us know how your test went

We send a short survey 10 days and 60 days after you order to check in on how your self-test experience went. Filling out these surveys helps us make sure we are effectively reaching people about the program so that more people can get free tests. Make sure to check your email (including spam) for an email from support@together.takemehome.org or a text message from 628-899-4662. Thanks for helping us improve self-testing for everyone!

Other Resources

Start Your Journey: A step-by-step process for what you should do after an HIV diagnosis

Stop HIV Together: Comprehensive information on prevention, testing, treatment, and talking about HIV stigma

Need help with your order? Email us at support@together.takemehome.org or call 628-899-4662.

Have questions about your results? Call OraSure at 1-866-436-6527 or go to their website.