You just tested negative--now what?

Testing negative for HIV can be a huge relief. You have made an important choice to take care of yourself by getting tested. You should be proud of that.

Remember, though, it can take up to 6 months to test positive for HIV after being exposed. This is called the "window period." To be completely sure that you do not have HIV, you should get tested again in 3 to 6 months, and continue to protect yourself in the meantime.

Testing negative for HIV does not mean that you are immune to the virus, so it is important to continue protecting yourself. Don't get discouraged or give up if you slip (by having unsafe sex or sharing needles).

There are several things you can do to keep protecting your health, now that you know you are negative:

• If you do not already see a doctor regularly, start now. It is always a good idea to have regular checkups, and your doctor will have a medical history of your health to refer to if you get sick.
• Ask for support in staying HIV negative. There are support services that can help you stick to your decision to stay safe. Your health care provider and/or the clinic social worker should have a list of such service providers.

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