Are you sexually active and want to check your HIV status? Perhaps your job puts you at increased risk of HIV infection and you want peace of mind. This quick finger-prick test can give you a result as early as four weeks after suspected exposure. Please note, if you think you’ve recently been exposed to HIV and require post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), you should visit your nearest sexual health clinic or A&E as soon as possible (and within 72 hours of exposure).
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What's in the test?
Hiv
HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies and P24 antigen
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HIV antibodies are made by the immune system in response to infection with either Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 or 2. P24 antigen is a protein from the core of the HIV virus, it is found during the initial infection with HIV and disappears following seroconversion. This test will look for the presence of HIV antibodies and p24 antigen in the blood and will report whether they are detected or not.
How to prepare for your test
Prepare for your HIV Blood Test by following these instructions. Take your test at least 4 weeks after any possible HIV exposure, a repeat test is recommended at 12 weeks. Do not take biotin supplements for two days before this test, discuss this with your doctor if it is prescribed.
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What is HIV?
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a viral infection. It’s usually contracted 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 fight infections and illnesses. If left untreated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), where the immune system becomes severely compromised.
What can this test tell me?
This test checks for antibodies against HIV. A positive result suggests you have contracted the virus, although it’s possible to get a false-negative or false-positive result. For this reason, we recommend re-testing at least 12 weeks after exposure for confirmation of your result.
This test also checks for the p24 antigen to improve the chances of detecting an infection sooner after exposure.
How accurate is an HIV test?
Provided you take the test according to the instructions and at the correct time after suspected exposure, this test is very accurate and will pick up almost all cases of HIV. Data from assay manufacturers show that this test accurately detects HIV in 100% of cases and gives true-negative results in 99.87–99.92% of cases.
Like any test, it’s possible to receive a false-negative or false-positive result, but this is very rare.
When should I take an HIV test?
This test can detect cases of HIV as early as four weeks after exposure. However, we recommend a repeat test at 12 weeks to confirm your result. By this time, virtually all (99.97%) people with HIV will have produced detectable antibodies that will show up on a blood test.
How can I minimise my risk of HIV?
You can minimise your risk of HIV by practising safe sex and avoiding sharing needles.
Most adults who are HIV-negative can take pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) if they’re at increased risk of HIV — for example, men who have sex with men (MSM) who have condomless sex, and people with HIV-positive partners who are not known to be virally suppressed. Speak to your GP or nearest sexual health clinic for more information about PrEP.
What happens if my result is positive?
Our doctors will phone you if any of your results are positive to explain what your results mean and the appropriate next steps. This often involves another blood test to confirm your result, informing any recent sexual partners, and attending a sexual health clinic for follow-up and support.
Although we can’t provide treatment for a positive result, we can signpost you to an appropriate service.
service. Whilst awaiting a confirmatory result, you can protect others by practising safe sex (or abstaining) and avoiding sharing needles with others.