What is HIV?
HIV stands for ‘human immunodeficiency virus’. It is an infection caused by a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. In the UK, it is most commonly transmitted by having anal or vaginal sex without a condom.
Who should test for HIV and why?
Everyone who has ever had sex should be aware of their HIV status, and test regularly. We advise testing at the start and end of a relationship, or every 3-6 months if you are having regular changes in sexual partners. Testing for HIV is now easier than ever.
Knowing your HIV status means you no longer need to worry. If you test negative you can take steps to protect yourself, such as taking PrEP. If you test positive, an early diagnosis means you can start simple and effective treatment sooner, which will reduce the chances of becoming unwell. Now we have effective treatment, HIV has become like many other medical conditions. By taking as little as one tablet a day the virus is completely controlled and cannot be passed on. People diagnosed early with HIV and started on treatment can remain fit and well, and live as long as anyone else.
When should I test for HIV?
If you think you may have been exposed to HIV in the last 72hrs it is important to seek advice as soon as possible as you may be able to take PEP to prevent HIV.
If more than 72 hours has passed, there may be some time to wait before we can get an accurate result (known as the ‘window period’). If you do not currently know your status we recommend testing as soon as possible then repeating the test after the window period has passed.
How can I test for HIV near me?
At Brighton and Hove SHAC all of our HIV testing is free and confidential. An HIV test is a routine blood test offered to everybody having a sexual health screen.
There are lots of places you can get an HIV test in Brighton & Hove, including both free and paid for options. If you are not in Brighton & Hove, you can access HIV testing from your local sexual health clinic.
What are the different types of HIV test?
There are two main types of test for HIV:
- Tests that use a blood sample that is sent to a laboratory
- Rapid HIV tests (self sampling tests)
Tests sent to a laboratory for testing
These tests have the shortest window period (45 days) which means if you get a negative result and have had no risk of HIV in the 45 days before doing the test, you can be sure you don’t have HIV. You can come into a clinic to have this test or take the blood sample yourself at home.
In clinic
We take a small sample of blood, which is sent to a laboratory and tested for HIV as well as other blood-borne viruses and syphilis.
At home HIV testing
Kits that you can order from our at home STI testing service or collect from our vending machines have all the equipment you need to collect your own blood sample at home and send back to us for testing at the laboratory.
Tips for how to take a blood sample at home using our at home STI testing service:
Rapid HIV testing
These tests have a longer window period (90 days) and reactive results on rapid HIV tests always need confirming with a further blood test at a sexual health clinic. A negative result is reassuring, but very recent HIV infection (within the last 90 days) may not be detected by these tests, so you should always re-test again in 3 months if you’ve had a recent risk.
Finger prick blood (in clinic)
This test uses a single drop of blood and gives a result within 15 minutes. You may be offered this test before starting a course of PEP or PrEP.
Oral swab
These tests are extremely accurate (99.7%) and by using a mouth swab, give a result in just 15 minutes. They are available free from one of our vending machines, and further information is available about understanding your HIV self test result .
Tips for how to use the Oraquick oral HIV test at home from one of our vending machines: