When getting tested for aids is it best doing it by blood or by mouth?

i was looking at TV today and they had a lot of specials about aids and i want to get tested too.
i was tested when i had my baby but its something i still wants to do.
so do it hurts?
and how much blood do they take?
they tested me for everything last time so i don't remember?

and no I'm not having sex if that what some of y'all mean.
its just safe to know.
0they said it can live in your body for along time and you wont even know it. so i still want to make sure. and i think some of y'all should to. and my baby is one years old

For the test by mouth, they take a cotton swab and rub it around inside your mouth between your gums and the inside of your mouth. A blood test is just like any shot you would get from a doctor, same needle. They say that the mouth test is just as reliable as the blood test if it turns out negative, but has often produced false positives. So if it says your hiv positive, it could be unreliable. But if it says negative, its the same as the blood test. I got both done but I would rather take the blood test since the mouth test was just approved not too long ago. Many health departments or disease centers only offer the mouth option, but any normal doctor can do the blood test. I went to my health department and they offered the oral test, then I went to an actual hospital and they took my blood.

Blood. They take one tube I think.

have your doctor test your blood -he/she can add other necessary tests at the same time to reduce costs. always use condoms.

I don't think any method is better than the other. I'd suggest the mouth if you're afraid of needles. If not, go for the blood testing. It's all about your preference and what you're more comfortable with.

Blood, and one small vial would be plenty, although I think tests can be run on just a finger pricks worth!

From what I know I don't think they do it by blood any more. When I got tested it was with the swab and that didn't hurt at all. They take the cells from the inside of your cheek and when you're through all you have to do is drink some water and you'll be fine. I may be wrong about the blood thing but they don't do it like that where I am so your best bet is just to ask.

go with the blood sample. the only thing that you should have our mouth checked for is strep, herpes, and yearly/monthly cleanings.

It does not hurt and it is only a syringe of blood taken. You will also get a report whether you have or have not AIDS. Good idea and makes you think of SAFE sex.
Spartawo...

wow. Um how old is your baby? I would think unless you're out screwing everyone or shooting needles, you're fine. You only needed to get tested if you're doing things you shouldn't be doing. You can't get HIV or AIDS from walking, eating, drinking, or breathing. And to answer your question. No it doesn't hurt. But don't take getting tested lightly. It's scary and you should be doing safe things to ensure you're not putting yourself in harms way. Good Luck!

By blood because HIV is a virus that is transmitted through the blood and/or through semen. They usually take a whole tube of blood and it's like drawing blood regularly, so there's mild discomfort for two seconds and it's over.

The blood test works just fine. They'll take a vial but probably wont use it all. The whole thing takes about ten seconds then they slap on a bandage and it's off to the lab.

The test for HIV is a two-step blood test. If the first blood test is positive, then a second, confirmatory test is done that works a completely different way, since there is a small incidence of false positive tests. The confirmatory test is called a Western Blot. If someone tests positive on both tests, then the first test is a true positive. Both tests can be done on one tube of blood.