{"product_id":"hiv-test-kit","title":"At home HIV test kit","description":"\u003ch2\u003eWhat is a HIV blood test used for?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit tests for HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe use a 5th generation HIV test – one of the most sensitive tests that is currently available. The blood sample that you provide will be tested for:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHIV p24 antigen (protein found in the HIV cell)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHIV-1 antibodies (made by your body to fight HIV-1)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHIV-2 antibodies (made by your body to fight HIV-2) \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAntigens (protein found in the HIV cell) and antibodies (made by your body to fight HIV) are detectable at different stages of HIV infection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are unsure whether you need this test, you can take our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/sti-test-kits\"\u003efree STI assessment\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat is the required sample for HIV test?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou will need to produce a blood sample using a small finger pricking device, contained within the kit. You will only need to produce a small amount of blood and it shouldn't hurt. Full instructions are contained within the test kit and you can \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/onlinedoctor.lloydspharmacy.com\/blob\/164432\/d3749f98e0a108c9917e7f14961acb7d\/sti-test-blood-test-how-to---download-data.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eview them here\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhen should you test for HIV?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ‘window period’ is the time period between potential exposure to HIV e.g. sex without a condom, and the point when the test will give you an accurate result.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTests done too early may not be accurate.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe HIV blood test is unlikely to detect HIV if you have contracted it in the last 45 days. However, if you are worried about a specific risk within the last 45 days, you should still do the test, but we recommend that you purchase another test to do 45 days after the last exposure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAccessing your HIV blood test results\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTest results are normally ready within 3 working days from your sample arriving at our partner laboratory. When your result is ready, you will receive a text and an email advising you to log in to your \u003ca href=\"\/account\"\u003eaccount\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf your HIV result is 'reactive' (i.e. potentially positive) or indeterminate, we will phone you to discuss these results with you. If we cannot get through, we will send you a message to your account asking to arrange a telephone consultation as soon as possible. We may also need to contact you if your sample is labelled incorrectly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to use your at home HIV blood test\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRead the instructions included in the HIV blood test kit before you start.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCollect your samples following the instructions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComplete and detach the enclosed form\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReturn your samples in the box, seal it and post them\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow to take a HIV test\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWatch the video for a step-by-step guide for using the lancet to collect a blood sample to send back to the lab for testing. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yBUfQC4IXEI?si=jCK5MGoyO1oT4PIM\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow do I read my HIV test results?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis test will give you 1 of 2 results:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e##accordion-start##\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e##accordion-item-start##\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch6\u003eReactive\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis means that there is a possibility that you have HIV. We will provide a breakdown of which parts of the test have come back positive. However, the test might have simply reacted with a flu or cold virus and you will need to have further tests. A reactive result \u003cstrong\u003edoes NOT\u003c\/strong\u003e mean that you definitely have HIV but that does meant you need further tests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e##accordion-item-end##\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e##accordion-item-start##\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch6\u003eNegative\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis means that there are no signs of HIV in this sample. If you have not been exposed to HIV within the last 45 days, you don’t need to do anything else.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e##accordion-item-end##\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e##accordion-end##\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow accurate is a HIV blood test?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis test is very accurate at telling you if you have HIV or not.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut no test is 100% accurate but it should pick up HIV if it is done at the correct time. If you think you have contracted HIV in the last 45 days, you should still do the test as it might pick up the infection but you should do another test 45 days after the potential exposure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are in any doubt, we advise that you go to your \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/nhs-services\/sexual-health-services\/find-a-sexual-health-clinic\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003enearest sexual health clinic\u003c\/a\u003e, or visit your GP.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"UK Production","offers":[{"title":"1 test kit","offer_id":42726842499260,"sku":"2734","price":32.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0611\/1284\/4476\/files\/at-home-hiv-test-kit.webp?v=1744638381","url":"https:\/\/onlinedoctor.lloydspharmacy.com\/products\/hiv-test-kit","provider":"UK Production","version":"1.0","type":"link"}