HIV, syphilis and hepatitis

HIV testing may be recommended at least once as part of a routine medical checkup for people between the ages of 13 and 64. Younger teens or older adults should be tested if they have a high risk of an STI. If you have a high risk of infection, your healthcare professional may suggest HIV testing yearly or more often depending on your risks.

Hepatitis B screening may be recommended for people at higher than average risk. This includes all pregnant people, people who have close contact with someone with a hepatitis B infection and people with symptoms of the infection.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggests screening all pregnant people for syphilis at the first prenatal visit, in the third trimester and at delivery.

Talk with your healthcare professional about testing for HIV, syphilis or hepatitis if you:

• Have symptoms of infection.
• Have had an STI.
• Have more than one sexual partner or have a partner who has had more than one since your last test.
• Inject yourself with drugs through a vein.
• Have been in jail or prison.
• Were assigned male at birth and are having sex with others who were assigned male at birth.
• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
• Have been forced to have sex against your will.

Your healthcare professional tests you for syphilis by taking either a blood sample or a swab from a genital sore you have. The sample then goes to a lab for study. Your healthcare professional also takes a blood sample to test for HIV and hepatitis.