HIV Information

HIV Testing

What is an HIV test?

You can find out if you have become infected with HIV by having a blood test done. The test doesn't look for the virus itself but for antibodies to the virus. Antibodies are made in your blood when an infection has got into your body.

When should I get an HIV test?

It can take up to three months after infection with HIV before the antibodies show up in your blood. These three months are called the window period. A test done before these three months are over isn't reliable because a blood test may find no antibodies and so you will appear free of HIV, even though the reality is that you have been infected (and could pass HIV on to others).

What do the results mean?

If you have a test three months after you've run the risk of getting HIV and no antibodies are found the result is said to negative and you are almost certain not to have HIV. But if you take risks again you could become get HIV. A negative HIV test doesn't protect you from getting infected in the future.

If antibodies to HIV have been made in your blood then the test result is positive and you have HIV. This means that you could pass it on to others through unprotected sex, giving blood or sharing needles if you inject drugs. If you did any of these during the time between getting HIV and having the test then you may have passed on the virus during that period, and should tell those involved so that they can have an HIV test too.

HIV test results are reliable. To make sure no-one is given the wrong result, a positive result is only given after the blood has been tested several times.

Where can I get an HIV test?

HIV tests can be done at the following:

• a Terrence Higgins Trust Fastest clinic
• a genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinic
• a private clinic
• your GP (family doctor).

You can choose where you go, bearing in mind that each option has advantages and disadvantages.

Fastest clinic 

Terrence Higgins Trust run a number of HIV testing clinics across the country. The clinics are open outside normal GUM service hours, and are located in convenient city centre locations. For the nearest one click here: HIV testing

GUM clinics

If you have an HIV test at a GUM clinic your results won't go on your medical record, and you can remain anonymous if you want to. Also, you may not need to make an appointment.

Private clinics

The results of any HIV test done at a private clinic won't go on your medical record either. You'll have to pay for the test but you can make an appointment at a time that suits you and you'll get the results quickly.

Your GP

HIV tests can be done at GP surgeries, which can be an advantage if you know your GP and feel comfortable with them testing you. However, many GPs do not know a lot about HIV and may not be able to answer your questions. And if you are diagnosed with HIV then your GP will not be able to treat you but will refer you to a specialist doctor for treatment.

If you are tested by your GP then your results will go on your medical records and so certain insurance companies and mortgage providers will be able to see them.