Before starting the test, relax and drink a glass of water. Warm your hands. Place your hand below waist level to promote blood flow. Before using the lancet, look for a spot on the side of your fingertip that is smooth, not calloused, and away from your fingernail. Carefully follow the blood collection steps in the self-test kit’s instructions for use.
Be sure to visit our Before you take a test page for some information we think will help prepare you to take the test, and our Care pathways pages for more information about services available for HIV care and prevention near you.
If you want help before, during or after you test and you are a participant of the I’m Ready research program or are curious about joining the program and want to learn more, our peer navigators are available to support you through our I’m Ready, Talk secure telehealth service.