​​​​​​​​​Many Kentuckians with HIV do not get tested before they become sick. As of June 30, 2017, 10,244 HIV infections had been diagnosed among Kentuckians and 63 percent of those cases had progressed to AIDS. Of the 3,600 AIDS cases diagnosed in the last 10 years, 24 percent were unaware of their HIV infection until 30 days or fewer before their AIDS diagnosis. This means many had been infected and infectious for 10 or more years before ever testing.

CDC recommends HIV screening be part of routine clinical care in all health care settings with the patient having the right to opt-out.

Kentucky HIV/AIDS Prevention Resources

Basics on HIV Prevention

The HIV Risk Reduction Tool links to information about the HIV risk of different sexual activities when one partner is HIV positive and one partner is HIV negative.

Targeted Prevention

Program Highlights

Get Tested for HIV

Each county health department in Kentucky now offers rapid screening for HIV with results available in 15-20 minutes. Several community-based organizations and health centers also offer rapid HIV testing.
Complete list of rapid HIV testing sites in KY 
For more information about HIV tests, see the NIH AIDS info web page.

Agency Training on HIV Testing

Kentucky law requires HIV testers to be trained in accordance with CDC guidance, which focuses on nonclinical settings. Two prerequisite TRAIN courses are required before attending a one-day, in-person course.  Certificates of completion must be submitted before registering for the one-day, in-person course. 

Note: This training is to accomplish HIV prevention counseling of rapid testing and how to interpret and give results. For training on test administration, including finger sticks, please refer to your agency or organization's protocols for shadowing and hands-on training.​

To complete the prerequisite courses:

1. Create a TRAIN KY account if you don't already have one.
   
2. Take the online prerequisite course Combination Prevention – Working with Clients to Stop HIV Transmission course #214901​ (1.0 hour, general information on HIV).
   

Note: TRAIN will direct the learner to the Cardea Training Center. There is a registration process.
Registration and Fees: This independent study is free of charge. There is no fee for a certificate of participation or CNE certificate.

3. ​​​Take the online prerequisite course Implementing HIV Testing in Nonclinical Settings ​​course 1104889 (4.0 hours, testing guidance).​
   

Note: This course consists of three modules, and is the replacement for Fundamentals of HIV Prevention Counseling. Completion of all three modules is required.

After completing both courses, please email certificate​s to CHFSPHTESTING@ky.gov​.

• INSTI Quick Reference Guide
  
• INSTI Package Insert
• INSTI Guidelines
• Rapid HIV Comparison Chart
• Troubleshooting for Pipetting
• INSTI 60 Second Video
• INSTI 5 Minute Training Video

Rapid-Rapid HIV Testing Protocol

Nonclinical Kentucky HIV test sites can now test all clients with rapid HIV antibody tests. Those with negative tests are considered as antibody-negative and no additional antibody testing would be required at that time. Those with reactive results from the rapid test can be tested immediately with an additional brand of rapid test that is less sensitive than the initial rapid test. Clients receiving reactive results from both rapid tests are almost certainly infected with HIV and can be promptly linked to an HIV care provider without waiting days or weeks for a confirmatory test.

This testing approach is for nonclinical settings such as harm reduction/syringe exchange programs, community-based organizations, outreach testing efforts, and field testing. This algorithm has not been approved for use in clinical settings.

HIV Test Form

EvaluationWeb HIV Testing Form.

Training for the new HIV Testing Form is available online (basic registration is required to view the recording).