Girl, get tested. Knowing is essential.

Knowing your HIV and syphilis status is an essential part of your overall wellbeing. Talk to your health care provider about getting tested today.

What is syphilis?

Syphilis is an STI (sexually transmitted infection) that can be passed during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Syphilis can be passed to a baby during pregnancy if the pregnant person hasn’t been treated.

What is HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)?

HIV is an STI that can be passed during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. It can also be spread from sharing needles or injection equipment. HIV can be passed to a baby during pregnancy if the pregnant person isn’t taking HIV medication.

How can you prevent syphilis and HIV?

Syphilis and HIV can be prevented by using condoms during sex. There is also a daily pill called PrEP that can prevent a HIV negative person from getting HIV in the future. If someone injects drugs or medicine, using sterile needles and injection equipment also helps prevent HIV. If you do have a positive HIV or syphilis test, getting treated helps prevent the infections from passing on to a partner or to a baby during pregnancy.

Why should someone get tested for HIV and syphilis?

Syphilis is treatable with antibiotics and HIV symptoms are manageable with daily medication. If syphilis or HIV go untreated, they can hurt someone’s long term health. If someone is or wants to get pregnant, treating syphilis and HIV is also an important way to protect their baby’s health. If HIV or syphilis aren’t treated, they can also pass on to partners.

Who should get tested for HIV and syphilis?

Anyone who has sex should get tested for syphilis and HIV at least once in their lifetime. Anytime someone gets tested for one of these infections, they should also be tested for the other. Talk to your health care provider about how often you should get tested. You may want to get tested more often if you:   

• Are pregnant or could become pregnant in the future.
• Use condoms sometimes or not at all.
• Have multiple sex partners, or a new partner since your last test.
• Have been diagnosed with or treated for another STI.
• ­­Use injection drugs or methamphetamine.

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How much does it cost to get tested for HIV and syphilis?

HIV and Syphilis testing is covered without any out-of pocket costs by Medi-Cal, Family PACT, and many private health insurance plans. Check your insurance plan to see if HIV and syphilis are on the list of covered tests. If you are unsure, it may be necessary to call your insurer directly to confirm coverage details.

Where can I get tested?

• Find a clinic that receives federal funding near you that provides HIV and syphilis testing and other FREE sexual + reproductive health services.
• You can find more testing sites and information at: gettested.cdc.gov