HIV Testing & Linkage to Care

The CDC recommends testing for HIV as a routine part of medical care for all persons ages 13-64 (HIV testing should be routine for people over aged 64 as well if you are sexually active or if you share needles to inject drugs). If you engage in higher risk behaviors (unprotected sex or share needles to inject drugs) it is best to be tested every three to six months. The sooner that a person finds out that they are HIV positive, the less likely they are to pass along the infection to others. In fact, 21% of all people living with HIV in the US are unaware of their infection. In addition, that 21% of the population is estimated to be responsible for transmitting over 50% of all new cases of HIV. If you do test positive for HIV there are resources available to help you get on medications and keep you healthy. Testing positive for HIV is no longer a death sentence, but it will require you to take care of yourself and to strictly follow the directions of your medical provider.

HIV Counseling & Testing by The Consortium

NOTE:  Our community-based testing is suspended right now because of the the COVID-19 pandemic.  FREE in-home test kits are available by signing up HERE.

FREE HIV testing is also available at Consortium offices, 100 W. 10th Street, Suite 415, Wilmington, by calling 302-654-5471, Monday through Thursday, 9 am – 3 pm, Friday 9 am – 12 pm.

The Consortium is grateful for a grant from New Castle County Council in support of its HIV and Hep C testing and linkage to care program.

In-home HIV Testing
Thanks to funding from the Delaware Division of Public Health, we now how in-home test kits available that we will send to you (or you can pick up) and we’ll walk you through the process.  Sign up HERE.

What is Opt-Out HIV Testing?
On June 27, 2012 Governor Jack Markell signed Senate Bill 162 in to law, providing for routine HIV opt-out testing. SB 162 implements the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation that HIV testing should be part of the standard battery of medical tests and removes the need for written consent for an HIV test. The bill preserves the opportunity for patients to decline the testing as with most other medical tests. 

For more information about the bill please visit the following links: Delaware Health & Social Services and News.Delaware.Gov

Visit www.HIVtest.org to find locations near you that provide HIV testing. or click here: https://locator.aids.gov/

HIV Testing Locations in Delaware
The following agencies offer HIV testing. In most cases, HIV testing is free. However, you should check with the agency first to be sure and to find out their hours for testing. You can also call the Delaware AIDS Hotline at 800-422-0429 to find the site closest to you.

State Service Centers

State HIV/AIDS Hotlines:
The Body: United States AIDS Hotlines

Health Resources and Services Administration: State Hotlines

Persons outside of the areas listed above may wish to use the HIV.gov Locator to find a location.