Testing
HIV Testing in San Francisco
Currently, most providers in the city offer rapid HIV testing services, with results available in twenty minutes. These tests can be done with either an oral swab of the gums, or a simple fingerstick.
All sites also offer the more conventional HIV test, either with an OraSure™ (oral swab left in the mouth for four minutes) or blood draw, with the specimen being sent to an off-site lab for testing. Results of those tests are usually available in one week. These tests are all looking for antibodiesto HIV (not the virus itself). For more information about HIV antibody testing, see the Terms & Definitions part of this website section.
RNA testing, which looks for the virus, is a test that requires a blood draw and takes about two weeks for results. This test is currently availableat City Clinic and is due to expand to some other providers in the city soon.
For more information on testing locations, including the neighborhoods, times of operation, and types of test offered, visit the Testing Locations section of this website.
For more information about HIV Counseling, Testin services in San Francisco, please contact the individuals below:
Vincent Fuqua
415.554.9073 vincent.fuqua@sfdph.org
Thomas Knoble
415.703.7279 thomas.knoble@sfdph.org
Eileen Loughran
415.5544.9124 eileein.loughran@sfdph.org
John Melichar
415.554.9078 john.melichar@sfdph.org