Why I Still Get Tested for HIV, Even After My Diagnosis

WebMD

15-07-2025

Nine years ago, I got tested for HIV. There was no dramatic movie moment. No ominous music. Just a quiet room … and a truth that would reshape how I saw myself, my body, and the world around me.
I tested positive.
And nearly a decade later, here's something that surprises a lot of folks: I still get tested.
Yes, even after diagnosis.
Even after achieving undetectable viral loads.
Even after becoming an advocate, educator, and public health professional.
Because testing – for me – has never just been about diagnosis. It's about care. It's about clarity. It's about love.
National HIV Testing Day: More Than a Single Test
Every year on June 27, we observe National HIV Testing Day – a call to action that encourages all folx to know and speak their status.
But this moment is about more than a single test.
It's a reminder that testing isn't something you check off once.
It's something you return to, again and again – with tenderness, with curiosity, and with courage.
For Black women especially, that reminder is critical.
We face higher vulnerability, limited access, and deeper stigma when it comes to our sexual health.
And yet, we've inherited generations of brilliance, care, and survival – along with the right to understand, protect, and advocate for our bodies without apology.
Why I Still Get Tested
You might ask: What's the point? Why still get tested?
And I get it. For many, testing feels like a starting line – something you only do when you don't know where you stand.
But for me, it's a rhythm. A ritual.
A holistic way to check in with myself – honestly and without rushing past the truth.
When I get tested, I'm not just looking for lab results. I'm asking bigger questions:
Am I honoring my health with the same energy I give to others?
Am I continuously making space for my own healing?
I still get full panels for STIs and STDs. I stay informed about PrEP, PEP, and DoxyPEP. I stay connected to my medical care team – because staying informed is one of the most loving things I can do for myself.
Not out of fear – but out of reverence.
Too often, a full panel is wrapped in fear and shame – like wanting to know what's going on with your body is something to whisper about.
But here's what I know:
Testing is an act of self-respect.
It's a way to love yourself enough to stay informed.
It's a step toward protection and autonomy.
When we say, 'Know and speak your status,' what we're really saying is: Know your power. Know your wellness. Know your way forward.
If it's been a while since your last test, let this be your gentle nudge – not because something's wrong, but because you deserve to know what's right for you.
Here's how to get started:
Visit locator.hiv.gov to find free or low-cost testing near you.
Talk to your provider about PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis), and DoxyPEP (doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis).
Start a conversation with your partner(s) – it might feel awkward, but it's a powerful act of trust.
Testing isn't about judgment. It's about honoring your path, protecting your health, and tending to what matters most.
Whether it's your first test or your 50th, walk in with your head held high.
You are worthy of care. And that care starts with knowing.
Nine years ago, I walked into a quiet room and learned a truth that changed everything.
Today, I'm asking you to find your own quiet room – not because you have to, but because you deserve to know what's true for you.