FAQ

We have a few different options, only some of which might be available in your area. The information below is also available when you are placing an order so you can make sure to get the kit that works best for you.

HIV ORAL SWAB TEST

INCLUDES

• 1 OraQuick Oral Swab

TESTS FOR

• HIV

HIV FINGER STICK TEST

INCLUDES

• 1 HIV Fingerstick + Blood Test Card

TESTS FOR

• HIV

STI + HIV TEST

INCLUDES

• 1 Rectal Swab
• 1 Throat Swab
• 1 Urine Sample Cup
• 1 HIV Fingerstick Test + Blood Test Card

TESTS FOR

• Chlamydia, Gonorrhea (rectal)
• Chlamydia, Gonorrhea (throat)
• Chlamydia, Gonorrhea (urine)
• HIV
• Syphilis Hepatitis C*

PrEP PANEL TEST

INCLUDES

• 1 PrEP Panel Test
• 1 HIV Fingerstick Test + Blood Test Card

TESTS FOR

• Creatinine Levels for PrEP Users (kidney function)
• HIV

Only some locations are offering lab-based test kits. You can subscribe to our email list to get the latest about new services in your area.

Some of our locations are offering STI Tests, which include gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and hepatitis C testing. If you are living with HIV, you can test for these common STIs if the kits are available in your ZIP code. When you order an STI Test, you can ask for an HIV test not to be included. (insert video here)

By using our website, you certify that you are ordering a kit for yourself, or for someone who has given you permission to order on their behalf. Under no circumstances should you order a kit for someone who has not asked you to do so. If you are ordering the HIV oral swab: it’s always best to place your own order to make sure all of your information is right so we can contact you if you have any issues. Some locations may allow you to order 2 HIV Oral Swab Tests at a time, so you can give one to a partner or a friend. If you are ordering a lab-based kit: please only order a kit for yourself. Make sure the name, date of birth, phone number and email address of the person whose specimens are being tested at the lab are entered into the account. All test results will be linked to the person’s name on the account. You cannot change who is being tested after receiving the kit in the mail. So, if you order a kit and then give it to a friend to use, their results will be linked to your name and any positive test results will be reported to the health department under the name on the account If you do not have a shipping address or cannot order a kit yourself, you can have someone order a kit for you, but please make sure they enter your name, date of birth, and contact information into the account. We can only communicate directly with the kit recipient about any issues with their account.

Sometimes Google Maps doesn’t recognize an address. If you are having trouble ordering your kit, you can email admin@takemehome.org and we can order one for you.

Yes! Please double check your information as you enter the shipping address, and remember to put your apartment number if you have one. We can’t resend you the same kit if it is returned to us because of an incorrect address.

Your comfort and privacy are important to us. We want you to feel safe and confident ordering a kit. If using your legal name means you won’t order, then please use whatever name feels best. If you decide to not use your legal name, please don’t change any other information. Use your actual date of birth and contact information so we can verify your order if there are any issues. Please note, once you put a name on your order, you will not be able to change it later.

In approximately one to four days, you will get a discreet package in the mail with your test kit and a set of instructions. We’ll email you USPS tracking information when your test kit is on its way. Be sure to check your spam and add admin@takemehome.org to your address book to make sure you don’t miss it!

You cannot cancel your order once it is placed. We are not able to cancel it as it is fulfilled by our lab partner.  When you receive your oral swab test kit, you can either keep it to use later or give it to someone else who would use it if you do not want it. When you receive your lab-based kit, please either keep it to use yourself later or dispose of it. If you give it to another person, it will still have all of your information attached to any results even if you aren’t sending in specimens.  You must use the kit within 2 months of ordering it.

Please don’t order another kit if you made a mistake. As you are entering your shipping address, please remember to enter all information, including your apartment number if you have one. If you notice a mistake after you’ve ordered, email admin@takemehome.org as soon as you can so we can try to fix the issue.

Please don’t order another kit, since that can cause confusion and kits to be lost in the process. Email admin@takemehome.org to make any changes.

While none of our kits require you to go to a lab or clinic, there are differences in how they are used and how you get your results that might make you decide one over the other.

HIV ORAL SWAB TEST

HOW IT WORKS

• Take at home
• Oral swab
• Get results in 20 minutes
• Only you know your results

HIV FINGER STICK TEST

HOW IT WORKS

• Take at home
• Mail in your kit to the lab
• Get results through account portal Positive results may be shared with your local health department as required by law

STI + HIV TEST

HOW IT WORKS

• Take at home
• Mail in your kit to the lab
• Get results through account portal Positive results may be shared with your local health department as required by law

PrEP PANEL TEST

HOW IT WORKS

• Take at home
• Mail in your kit to the lab
• Get results through account portal Positive results may be shared with your local health department as required by law

You will get instructions in your package that walk you through how to complete each part of the kit. You can find instructional videos and other information here.

We recommend everyone complete the parts of STI kits as relevant for your sexual history. For STI test swabs of your butt and throat, remember: if you use it, swab it! You don’t have to use every swab in the kit. Only use swabs that match how you have sex. For example, if you don’t put a penis or toys in your butt, don’t use the anal swab.

For the HIV oral swab test: Once you take the test, your results will be ready at home in 20 minutes. For lab-based tests: Once you complete your specimens and mail them back to the lab, it takes on average 3 days (range 1-6 days) to process your results. Don’t worry. You’ll get an email from us once they are ready to be viewed in your portal.

For the HIV Oral Swab Test: Once you take the test, you will be able to see your results within 20 minutes at home. You can find out more about the OraQuick test works here. For lab-based tests: You will receive an email when your results are ready. Be sure to check your spam and add orders@takemehome.org to your address book to make sure it doesn’t get lost! At any time, you can visit TakeMeHome.org/My_Account. Login to see your results, order history, and next steps to take charge of your sexual health. Remember: if you test positive, a local health department official may reach out to you to make sure you get any follow-up testing and treatment you need and that your partners can access testing if they need to as well.

Go to TakeMeHome.org/My_Account. Enter your email address and click Reset Password. A password reset link will be sent to the email associated with your account. If you forgot your email address, please email admin@takemehome.org. Once you have reset your password, you can log in to see your results, order history, and next steps to take charge of your sexual health.

No worries! This happens sometimes. Let us know by forwarding the email you received to admin@takemehome.org so we can work with you to order a new test.

We cannot accept a test kit back, even if it is unused. For HIV oral swabs: you can either keep your kit to use later or give it to someone else to use.  For lab-based kits: please either keep it to use later or dispose of it. If you give it to another person, it will still have all of your information attached to any results even if you aren’t sending in specimens.  You must use the test within 2 months of ordering it.

Testing positive can be a stressful experience. It’s important to take care of yourself and seek support from trusted friends, partners, and other loved ones if that feels right.  When you’re ready, visit a local healthcare provider to get confirmatory testing (a more sensitive test to make sure you’re positive) and treatment if needed. Find your nearest clinic here. Clinics may provide other support beyond testing and treatment, like mental health, substance use, and financial assistance resources. Remember: A local health department official may reach out to you to make sure you get the treatment you need and that your partners can access testing if they need to. Telling your partners about a positive test result isn’t easy, but it gives them necessary information so they can get tested and treated in case they are positive too. You can use TellYourPartner.org to anonymously send your partners a text letting them know that they should get tested if telling them directly doesn’t feel right or safe for you.

Your comfort and privacy are important to us. We want you to feel safe and confident ordering a kit, and we know that you may be concerned about ordering a sexual health test. You can see what our discreet packaging looks like here. You may choose to send packages to a trusted friend or family member’s address.  If using your name means you won’t order, then please use whatever name feels best. If you decide to not use your legal name, please don’t change any other information. Use your actual date of birth and contact information so we can verify your order if there are any issues. Please note, once you put a name on your order, you will not be able to change it later.

To participate in this program, we ask for your consent to share your data with your local or state health department, or whoever is paying for the test, just as would happen if you went into a clinic for a test. You can find more about your privacy and data here. For lab-based orders, we are required to share positive results with your local health department by law. Remember: A local health department official may reach out to you if you test positive to make sure you get the treatment you need and that your partners can access testing if they need to.

You can email admin@takemehome.org to request that your account and personal information be deleted. We will delete: 

• Your first and last name
• Your email address
• Your mailing address

We keep the ZIP code and your order number as a way of auditing payment, as explained in our Terms of Use. This information can no longer be connected to you since we delete your personal information as detailed above. Due to other federal and state laws, we are not able to delete information transmitted to our lab partner for kit fulfillment. You can find our Privacy Policy here.

TakeMeHome has an agreement with our fulfillment and lab partner, Molecular Testing Laboratories, called a Business Associates Agreement. This lets us to securely share data between our two organizations and confirms our commitment to protecting your health information.  Each health department that participates is covered under this agreement.