I used to volunteer as an HIV/AIDS educator; here's my two cents...
First and foremost, I admire your desire to be tested. Not only are you taking measures to protect yourself, but your partner. Good call!
You can find many testing centers in your area on the internet, and you can also visit your PCP. Because of confidentialy issues, many community centers use different forms of identification when testing, ranging from using your name to assigning you a random number. For some people, this anonymous testing lowers their anxiety, while others like to be with their regular, trusted primary care provider for support.
For HIV/AIDS testing there are a variety of methods; you can either have blood drawn, or a swab in the mouth. Depending upon the facility and the method, you will need to wait for up to a week for results, or 15 minutes (the swab is usually faster). This is usually done by a specially trained person in a private environment.
While getting tested is fast, waiting for the results - or even going in for the test - can be nervewracking. It helps to have a friend that can give you support during this time. Afterwards, you will be either given your results, or you may be referred elsewhere for more testing. In this case, more blood may need to be drawn to make a definate diagnosis or confirm negative results.
If you - or anyone else - has anything to add, feel free.
Although your girlfriend taking the pill will help prevent pregnancy, it doesn't prevent against transmission of any STI's. I would also recommend being tested for other common STI's. This can also be done at your PCP's office or in the community. Many people take the steps to get tested for HIV, but they forget about
chlamydia,
gonorrhea, or a host of
other STI's.
Hopefully, the above information has lowered your anxiety level some. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
CrazyPremed
