A patient seated in the chair before a blood draw
In person

HIV Test (4th Generation)

HIV antigen and antibodies, checked from one blood draw.

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  • 2,000+ lab locations. Find one near you
  • Nothing due at the lab. FSA / HSA accepted
  • Ordered by a licensed clinician

At a glance

Collection
Blood draw
A standard blood draw at the lab.
Preparation
None
Nothing to do ahead of time. Water is fine.
Results
2 to 4 days
Typical turnaround after your visit.
Where
2,000+ lab locations
Nationwide, with nothing due at the lab.

About this test

This test checks for HIV antibodies and an HIV antigen, a part of the virus that can show up before antibodies form. That lets it reflect a recent infection sooner than a test for antibodies alone. If the result is reactive, the lab runs follow-up tests on the same sample to check it.

For adults 18 and older. Test availability varies by lab location.

Who should take this test?

For adults who want routine HIV screening, a check with a new partner, or to know their status. After a possible exposure in the last few days, contact a provider or urgent care promptly.

Ask about this test

Not sure this is the right test?

AI-generated. For information only, not medical advice. Call 911 for an emergency.

What does this test measure?

Your result shows whether HIV antigen or antibodies were found. If the screen is reactive, the lab’s follow-up results help a healthcare provider understand what it means.

HIV-1/2 antigen and antibodies (4th generation)
This blood test looks for both HIV antibodies and an HIV protein called the p24 antigen, which can appear before antibodies do. If the screen is reactive, the lab runs follow-up tests on the same sample to tell HIV-1 from HIV-2 and clarify the result before it is reported.
Why it’s measured: Checks for HIV antibodies and antigen, with lab follow-up if reactive.

How it works

  1. Step 1

    Order online

    Check out here. A licensed clinician in your state reviews your order and sends it to the lab.

  2. Step 2

    Visit a lab

    Bring a photo ID to any of 2,000+ lab locations. No fasting needed, and nothing is due at the lab.

  3. Step 3

    Get your results

    Results post to your account, usually in 2 to 4 days, each number next to the lab’s reference range.

Find a lab near you

Choose from 2,000+ lab locations nationwide. Your order works at any of them.

What your results tell you

The screen is reported as reactive or nonreactive. If it is reactive, the results of the lab’s follow-up tests on the same sample are reported too.

  • Your number next to the lab’s reference range
  • Explained in plain language
  • A licensed clinician reviews your order and, if appropriate, orders the test.
  • A lab report you can download and share

Only a healthcare provider can diagnose HIV. Talk with one about any reactive result, the follow-up results, and next steps for care.

Clinical-grade testing, from the comfort of home.

From the lab to your report, every step of our process meets the gold standard in medical testing.

  • CLIA-certified labs

    Every lab we partner with is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, meeting both state and federal standards with regular independent inspections.

  • We protect your health data

    We protect your health data with encryption and do not sell it. Some results must be reported to public health authorities by law. See our Privacy Notice.

  • Rigorous quality assurance

    All partner labs run regular internal quality checks, participate in proficiency testing, and comply with federal and state lab regulations.

  • Clinician-reviewed reports

    Results are reviewed by an independent, licensed clinician.

Questions

Common questions.

Anything else, our care team answers by phone, text, or email.

It means the test looks for two things: antibodies your body makes to HIV, and an HIV antigen, which is part of the virus itself. Because the antigen can show up before antibodies form, the test can reflect a recent infection sooner than a test for antibodies alone.

The lab runs a follow-⁠up test on the same sample that looks for antibodies specific to each type of HIV. If that test is negative or unclear, the lab runs another test on the same sample that looks for the virus’s genetic material. A healthcare provider reads all of the results together.

Timing matters. Antigen and antibodies take time to show up after someone is infected, so a test very soon after a possible infection may not reflect it. A healthcare provider can advise when to test and whether to retest.

If you think you may have been exposed to HIV in the last few days, contact a healthcare provider or urgent care promptly. Time-⁠sensitive care may be available, and this test may not reflect a very recent infection.

A nonreactive result means HIV antigen and antibodies were not found in your sample. It reflects the day of your draw, so a very recent infection may not show yet. A healthcare provider can advise whether a repeat test makes sense for you.

Some positive results are reported to public health authorities as required by state law. Talk with a healthcare provider about any positive result.