HIV blood test

This test will give you 1 of 2 results:

'Reactive': this 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 does NOT mean that you definitely have HIV but that does meant you need further tests.

'Negative': this means that there are no signs of HIV in this sample. If you have not been exposed to HIV within the last 4 weeks, you don’t need to do anything else.

This test is very accurate at telling you if you have HIV or not.

Please note, 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 4 weeks, you should still do the test as it might pick up the infection but you should do another test 4 weeks after the potential exposure.

If you are in any doubt, we advise that you go to you nearest sexual health clinic, or visit your GP.

This test kit is not suitable for you if:

You think you have been exposed to HIV within the last 72 hours.
You have any symptoms.
You have tested positive for HIV in the past.

If you think you have been exposed to HIV within the last 72 hours, you should seek URGENT medical advice from your local sexual health clinic, GP or Accident & Emergency, as HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) may be recommended as treatment.

If you have symptoms, you should NOT use this service. You require a face to face assessment at your local sexual health clinic or GP. If you have a skin rash; flu-like illness; fever; sore throat; headache; swollen lymph nodes; and think you are at risk of having HIV, you should seek URGENT medical advice from your local sexual health clinic or GP.

If you are known to be HIV positive or have recently tested positive, you should seek medical advice from your local sexual health clinic or GP.

Your test result will be completely confidential. We will not inform your GP or anyone else of your test result or that you have used our service unless you specifically ask us to.