The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a viral infection. It is usually caught by having unprotected vaginal or anal sex with an infected person. HIV can also be passed on through blood (e.g. by sharing needles), and a mother can pass it on to her baby during pregnancy and through breast milk. HIV cannot be transferred by kissing, touching or through sweat or urine.

HIV attacks the body's immune defences, gradually weakening its ability to resist infection and illness. If left untreated, it can lead to the development of AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) when the immune system becomes severely compromised.

We recommend taking this test after four weeks from potential exposure. The result will give a good indication of your HIV status. However, a small proportion of people tested at this stage will show false positive or negative results. For example, you may have been infected but have not yet produced an antibody response that could be detected by testing. Our test also tests for p24 antigen to improve the chances of finding an infection sooner after exposure. We recommend repeating this test to confirm the result at 12 weeks post-exposure. By this time, virtually all infected people (99.97%) will have produced antibodies that can be detected.

Special Instructions