HIV Testing in El Reno, OK

Oklahoma is one of the top 7 states in the United States for the highest rural burden of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). HIV is a virus that can compromise your immune system and cause AIDS in the long run. In the last five years, an estimated 21% of Oklahomans who received an HIV diagnosis were late testers. Therefore, if you share needles or participate in unprotected sex (vaginal, anal, or oral), get tested at Equality Health in El Reno right away. Besides HIV testing, we also provide PrEP (prevention) therapy in El Reno, OK. Give us a call today to schedule your appointment!

The Importance of HIV Testing

Getting tested for HIV is very important because the sooner you test, the sooner you’ll receive the results. Early testing would allow you to lower your HIV viral load and begin treatment right away.

The following are some advantages to taking an HIV test:

• Know your HIV status: You can only know your HIV status by taking a test, especially if you are at risk. If you have unprotected intercourse with multiple partners, get tested; it will safeguard you and your partners. If you test positive for the virus while you are pregnant, some medications will help you have an HIV-negative baby.
• Gives peace of mind: For peace of mind, it is best to get tested for HIV. It’s a relief if the test comes back negative. In case of a positive test result, you can start receiving medical care immediately.

Contact our team today to learn more about our HIV testing process.

When Should You Test for HIV?

As advised by the CDC, everybody between the ages of 13 and 64 should get tested at least once. More frequent testing is recommended for individuals with certain risk factors, such as:

• A person who has had sexual relations with another person
• Anybody who engages in anal or vaginal intercourse with an HIV-positive individual
• Anyone who has had several sexual partners after their previous HIV test
• If you exchange syringes, needles, or other injectable supplies with other people
• You trade drugs or cash for sex
• If you have already received treatment or a diagnosis for another STD
• If you’ve also received a diagnosis or treatment for tuberculosis (TB) and hepatitis
• If any one of the criteria mentioned above applies to someone you’ve had sex with
• If you’ve had sex with a person you don’t know anything about

If you want quick and easy HIV testing services, contact our team today!

Our HIV Testing Services in El Reno, OK

Our clinic is a great choice if you’re seeking HIV testing services in El Reno, OK. For HIV patients, we provide a variety of services on prevention, testing, and treatment. Our services include:

1. HIV Antibody Tests

The HIV antibody test is highly reliable and widely used. Our medical experts will use this test to look for antibodies in your immune system to detect HIV infection. Our medical professionals often perform this test with the help of a blood sample, which can be done in the office or sent to the lab. HIV antibody tests help to see if your oral fluid and blood contain HIV antibodies.

• Advantage: Most affordable choice compared to other alternative testing methods.
• Disadvantage: Sometimes, these tests might give you incorrect results if they are performed too soon known as the seroconversion window. It is recommended to repeat this test a few weeks later to confirm a negative result if you test during the seroconversion window.

2. HIV Antigen Test

Because of its widespread popularity and effectiveness, the antigen test is frequently used in the United States. This test is often conducted in a lab. To conduct this test, our medical specialists will identify antigens, or proteins, on the surface of HIV that were generated before HIV antibodies develop.

Advantages:

• Even in the window period when antibodies are not yet present, it can help detect HIV infection earlier than antibody testing.
• If the test is completed within the appropriate window period, it is highly accurate.

Disadvantages:

• Even though this test is extremely sensitive, occasionally, the cross-reactivity of other chemicals in your body can lead to false-positive results.
• You need to run an antibody test to confirm your diagnosis if your antigen test comes up positive.

Antigen tests can identify the infection two to three weeks after exposure. If you test before 2 to 3 weeks and your test comes back negative, you should test again after 2 to 3 weeks to confirm the result.

3. PCR Tests or Nucleic Acid Tests (NAT)

NATs can identify even a tiny percentage of virus-induced diseases in the early stages of infection in your body. This test is appropriate for you if you seek early detection because these tests directly identify the genetic material (DNA or RNA) of your virus.

Advantages:

• Due to PCR testing’s excellent accuracy, false-positive or false-negative findings are less common.
• When findings from an antigen or antibody test are inconclusive, NAT confirms HIV infection.

Disadvantages:

• To generate reliable results, PCR/NAT needs specialized lab equipment and trained workers, which limits its application in some circumstances.
• Although the results are 99% accurate, the cost is higher and results take longer than the other HIV testing methods.

Using NAT, you can detect HIV within a 10- to 33-day test window after exposure. Contact our team today and get tested for HIV!

Procedure and Preparation for HIV testing at EH

To ensure that our patients receive clear results, we adhere to certain specific procedures at our clinic, such as:

Step 1: Pre-Test Counseling

Before taking an HIV test, our medical specialists will offer you comprehensive information about the test through pre-test counseling. We will educate you on HIV prevention strategies, including condom use, abstinence (not having sex), the harms of sharing needles, and more. We will also teach you about the ways that HIV can spread through anal or vaginal intercourse and through sharing syringes, needles, and injection equipment.

If you want to get tested but are uncertain about which test to select, no need to fret-we’ve got you covered! Our experts will recommend the appropriate test type along with its corresponding timeframe.

Step 2: Our Testing Procedures

Specific HIV tests are given to our patients based on their circumstances and counseling sessions. We use three different tests:

• Antigen Tests: This test detects HIV antigens, or proteins, on the virus’s surface that evolved before HIV antibodies. It can identify your HIV infection faster than antibody testing. We take your antigen tests using a blood sample or DNA swab.
• Antibody tests: This test looks for antibodies that your body makes in reaction to HIV infection. It offers you a cost-effective alternative to antigen and NAT. We take your antibody test using a blood sample.
• Nucleic Acid Tests (NAT): This test is highly renowned for its capacity to identify the infection in the early stages. It finds the actual genetic material of the virus in your blood. Since this test is so precise, there is a minimal chance that you will receive a false positive or false negative. We take a sample of your NAT test using your blood and run it through our laboratory for diagnosis.

Step 3: Sample Collection

We use three methods to collect your sample for the testing process. They are:

• Blood: We collect blood samples either through finger pricking or in a syringe from your arm.
• Oral fluid: We collect oral fluid samples through a swab.
• Urine: Urine samples are collected in a cup.

For HIV testing, we mostly rely on blood samples.

Step 4: Lab Evaluation

We submit your sample to the lab for additional assessment and analysis, where they use enzyme immunoassays to examine your sample and conduct an antibody test to find out whether or not your sample has HIV antibodies.

Step 5: Results and Post-Test Counseling

Depending on the test, it can take a few minutes to a few days for the test results to come back. NAT results usually take up to a week or longer. If your test results come back positive, we offer emotional support, counseling, and treatment options. While undergoing therapy and treatment, you will be given recommendations for future-oriented methods.

Contact our team today, and let us guide you through the testing process for HIV.

Cost of HIV Testing in El Reno, OK

All of our different tests and procedures have different costs. Here in El Reno, OK, Equality Health offers complimentary rapid testing for HIV 1 and 2. Regardless of your insurance status, we have a dedicated program to assist you that doesn’t result in any charges incurred by our patients. Partnering with more than 30 pharmacies, we ensure access to the most effective medications at reasonable prices. Our primary goal is to present an economical pricing solution to minimize any significant expenses directly affecting your budget.

Experience affordable HIV testing with us. Make your appointment today!

Support and Resources for HIV Testing in El Reno, OK

At our clinic in El Reno, OK, we provide our patients with a variety of services related to HIV testing, including:

• Pre- and post-test counseling: Our caring healthcare team is here for you before and after your HIV test. We’ll walk you through the different types of tests in detail during our pre-test counseling. Once the results are in, our post-test counseling steps in to provide insights into available treatment options.
• Emotional support: Going through an HIV test can be tough, especially if the results come back positive. Our professionals not only guide you on the treatment journey but also offer the emotional support you need to navigate challenges with resilience.
• Knowledgeable specialists: Our specialists have a wealth of information, covering everything from precautions and prevention to various test options and treatments. We will go over all the details in our counseling sessions to keep you well-informed.
• Online resources: Our healthcare team has your back when it comes to resources. We’ll share local and online resources tailored to your willingness to learn, ensuring you’re up to speed on HIV education.
• Patient portal: Keeping things convenient for you is our priority. That’s why we provide a patient portal that offers a user-friendly space for both you and your healthcare provider to interact seamlessly.

With Equality Health Care, your health journey just got a whole lot smoother.

Contact Equality Health for HIV Testing in El Reno, OK

If you need HIV testing in El Reno, OK, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at (405) 761-2762. You can also head over to our Request Appointment page and get in touch with our healthcare professionals at your service. We’re here for you from Monday to Thursday between 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Our clinic is closed on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Want to schedule an appointment? We’re here to help! We also provide hepatitis C testing and treatment services in El Reno, OK.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)