Lowcountry AIDS Services - Prevention

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The 411 on Testing:

HIV Testing: Getting an HIV test is the first step in your healthy future. By knowing your own status, you can become an advocate for prevention. And that makes you a powerful weapon in our world war against AIDS. Empower yourself — get tested today.

Can I be tested anonymously?

There is a lot of confusion about whether you can be tested anonymously in South Carolina. Because South Carolina state law requires that all positive test results be reported to DHEC, anonymous testing is prohibited, while confidential testing is allowed.

What's the difference?

An anonymous testing site will not ask for your name or any other identifying information, but will use an identifying code.

A confidential testing site will ask you for a first name or your full name or an identifying code you provide as a condition for testing. Many confidential testing sites will not ask to see any ID, so you can choose whether to use your actual name or not.

We always recommend you call the testing location you wish to visit and ask about their privacy policy.

If your test result is positive, the confidential testing site will ask you for your name, address and telephone number. You are not required to provide this information, and if you choose not to, the testing site will simply report the positive result to the DHEC. Information gathered by the DHEC is used for statistical and public health purposes. Specific information about you is not available for public use for any reason.

Testing is easy!

Clients may either call 843-747-2273 to make an appointment or they may walk in between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. LAS currently uses the DHEC sponsored HIV OraQuick test. All of our Testers are certified by SC State DHEC. The HIV test only takes 20 minutes. A tester uses a lancet similar to what diabetics use to measure blood sugar and only a single drop of blood is needed to provide an accurate reading. During the test our staff also counsels the client and makes appropriate referrals, should other services be necessary.