HIV testing

Are you concerned about HIV? Please don’t worry alone – come and talk to us. We can test you (for free and in confidence) and then advise you accordingly.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Not everybody has signs or symptoms of HIV infection. Some people when first infected with HIV may experience symptoms similar to flu-like symptoms (sometimes known as seroconversion illness, or primary HIV infection). This may include:
• sore throat
• muscle aches and pains
• skin rash
• diarrhoea and / or vomiting / nausea
• high temperature / fever
• headaches / fatigue

These symptoms may be the body’s first reaction to being infected with HIV and may last up to several months. It is at this stage you are most infectious to others, therefore it is really important that you get tested.

Following the first stage you may not experience any symptoms for a number of years, and the HIV may go undetected but during this time the virus will multiply and can still be passed to other people.

The earlier you can test and be diagnosed if you are HIV positive, the better the physical outcome. Diagnosing HIV early means we can avoid any complications, and keep you healthy.

The only way for a person to know whether they have HIV is to have a test. This test looks for the part of the HIV virus itself and antibodies that the body has produced to fight off the HIV.

How is the test carried out?

The HIV test we offer is a blood test which is sent to our lab. Results are available in five working days.

We can also offer a saliva test in the clinic which reveals a result in 20 minutes. This is only suitable for certain patients and the doctor or nurse will advise if it is suitable for you.

Microscope

When should I have a test?

The test can show positive as early as two weeks after infection, but HIV infection cannot be excluded until 12 weeks after exposure. Depending on the risk you have had, you may be advised to repeat your test earlier than the 12 week window if there is a chance we could pick the infection up earlier.

It is important to be tested for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as well as HIV. HIV is not detected from ordinary blood tests or cervical smears. You may like to talk to someone about the effects the result might have on your life before taking the test. If so. Please feel free to ask to see a health adviser when you attend the clinic.

If your HIV test is positive we will spend time with you discussing what to expect, and treatment options. We also have an HIV counselling service available.

If you have had unprotected sex, or a condom accident with someone who has (or might have) HIV, then you could take PEPSE to reduce the chance of getting HIV. PEPSE stands for ‘post-exposure prophylaxis after sexual exposure’ and is a four week course of HIV medication you can take after unprotected sex or a condom accident, to reduce the chance of becoming HIV positive. Find out more about our PEPSE service.