HIV Testing

At UHS, you have two options for HIV testing:

1) Conventional HIV Testing

  • The result will be part of your medical record and a copy available for your use.
  • You will meet with a UHS clinician or nurse.
  • You can combine HIV testing with other services, or it can be done alone.
  • A conventional blood test is used (no rapid test, results will be ready in several days). 
  • Fees vary, free for enrolled students
  • Schedule an appointment by calling 734-764-8320.

2) Rapid HIV Testing (30-minute visit, results provided same visit)

  • The result will not be part of your medical record, and there is no documentation of results - it's just so you know your status.
  • You will meet with an HIV testing and prevention counselor from Unified: HIV Health and Beyond.
  • A finger stick blood test is used, and results are available in the same visit.
  • Confidential testing is available on Mondays from 1-3 p.m. 
  • Appointments are required. Make an appointment by calling Wolverine Wellness at 734-763-1320.

How else can I get an HIV test?

When to test:

The tests used at UHS look for both HIV antibodies and antigens. Antigens are foreign substances that cause your immune system to activate. The antigen is part of the virus itself and is present during acute HIV infection (the phase of infection right after people are infected but before they develop antibodies to HIV). 

Most, but not all people, will make enough antigens and antibodies for the test to accurately detect infection 2 to 6 weeks (13 to 42 days) after the possible exposure to HIV. You can talk to a UHS HIV test counselor about your personal situation.

Why test?

Take the test if you have been exposed to another person's blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or breast milk, for example through unprotected sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) or sharing injection drug equipment.

Benefits of testing include:

  • Reduced anxiety about your health
  • Information about risk, safer sex, etc.
  • Earlier medical care if you are infected

The meaning of test results:

  • Negative means no HIV antigen or antibodies found, either because you have not been infected with HIV, or you have not yet developed antigen or antibodies that can be seen on the test. (For most people, antigen or antibodies can be identified on the test within 2 to 6 weeks after infection.)
  • Positive means HIV antigen or antibodies were found. A follow-up test will be conducted. If the follow-up test is also positive, HIV is present and you are able to infect others. It does not necessarily mean that you have symptoms. 
  • Indeterminate means that the test result is unclear and should be repeated.

For more information:

Call (734) 763-1320 or email [email protected]

Free safer sex supplies are available to U-M students at Wolverine Wellness (suite 0245, ground floor of UHS).

Other local test sites, hotlines, and more are at Resources for Sexual Health.

Emergency Contraception

Pregnancy Testing

STI Assessment for sexually transmitted infections

CDC HIV Testing Basics