What types of HIV tests are there?

There are 4 main types of HIV tests available today:

1. Point of care test (blood test taken at a clinic)
2. Home sampling kit (blood test taken at home and samples sent to a lab)
3. Home testing kits (blood test taken at home with rapid results)

Results from rapid result tests and point of care tests are given on the same day. Home sampling kit test results are ready in a few days.

What is a 4th generation HIV test?

The 4th generation HIV test can detect HIV infection earlier and more effectively than some other tests. If you are infected with HIV your body will have an antigen called p24. This starts to happen within the first 2 weeks after infection. The 4th generation HIV test is used to detect p24.

Your body will then produce antibodies, which is a sign that your body is trying to fight off the HIV infection. The 4th generation test also checks for these. 

As the 4th generation test looks at two different signs of HIV it is an effective test for detecting the virus. This is the type of test we use at Superdrug Online Doctor.

What is a rapid HIV test?

A rapid HIV test can give you a result in 20 to 30 minutes. The tests are designed to be used at home or during a medical appointment. Rapid HIV tests involve collecting a sample of saliva (spit) or a prick of blood and then testing them straight away. You can get a blood test for HIV at a Superdrug Health Clinic.

What HIV tests does the NHS use?

The NHS uses the 4th generation test. This is the test that is offered at sexual health clinics run by the NHS, and is the same test offered by Superdrug Online Doctor.

Why should I get tested for HIV?

There are many reasons why you should get tested for HIV, and should consider getting tested regularly. Knowing your HIV status helps you make informed decisions, which means you can keep yourself and your partner(s) safe and healthy. 

A negative test can help to ease any anxiety about a potential infection, and you can take steps to ensure you stay safe in the future. If you test positive, you can get access to care and treatment to help you stay healthy.

Reasons to get tested for HIV:

HIV can be prevented if caught early: If you have been exposed to HIV, there are medications that can stop you from becoming infected if taken within 72 hours. For this reason, it is very important to visit your nearest sexual health clinic or A&E and get tested if you are worried that you might have been exposed to HIV.

Get access to treatment: There is no cure for HIV, but the virus can be controlled effectively with treatment to help those who are HIV-positive to live long and healthy lives. With the right care and treatment, those with HIV can be expected to live as long a life as somebody without the virus.

Keep others safe: Knowing your HIV status helps prevent the spread of HIV, so you can make sure your partner(s) are not exposed. If you are HIV positive, treatment such as PrEP can stop you from spreading the virus to others.

Testing is quick and easy: Our at-home HIV test is a simple finger prick test, which takes only a few minutes to collect a small blood sample. You get your results from our doctors within 3-5 days of your sample reaching the lab.

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How does the test work?

How accurate is the HIV test?

Our HIV test is 99.8% accurate at spotting the HIV infection if you have contracted it more than 6 weeks ago. We use 4th generation HIV tests (HIV 1&2 Abs/p24 Ag combination), which are the most reliable tests and give accurate results 45 days after infection. A second test at 3 months is also needed sometimes, to confirm a positive or negative result.

How to use the HIV test

The HIV home testing kit provided by Superdrug Online Doctor is simple to use. The package contains instructions, a pre-paid envelope, a collection tube, and a lancet.

To use the kit follow these steps:

1. Use the lancet to prick your finger to produce a drop of blood
2. Squeeze some blood into the collection tube and seal the tube
3. Place the tube into the pre-paid envelope and post this to our lab
4. Results will be messaged to your account using our secure, confidential messaging system

You can use our secure messaging service to contact one of our doctors at any time after you have made your order.

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When should I get tested for HIV?

Different types of HIV tests have different test 'windows'. This is the time in which they can detect HIV. Some tests can detect infection sooner after exposure than others. If you are worried that you might have been infected with HIV, you should get a test as soon as possible.

You should not have sex until you can confidently say you're negative, with either a 4th generation test at 45 days or a rapid home test at 3 months.

How soon can HIV be detected by a blood test?

Our HIV blood test can detect the presence of HIV 6 weeks after potential exposure, which is the same as you would get in a sexual health clinic. A special blood test done in clinics or hospitals, which draws blood from a vein rather than using a finger prick test, can detect HIV infection between 13 to 24 days after exposure

How soon after unprotected sex can I test for HIV?

If you have had unprotected sex and are concerned that you may have been infected with HIV you should visit your nearest sexual health clinic as soon as possible. A treatment called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may stop you from becoming infected if taken within 72 hours of exposure. 

How long after exposure should I get tested for HIV?

You should test for HIV between 45 days to 3 months after unprotected sex. A 4th generation test should give an accurate test result 45 days (or 6 weeks) after exposure to HIV.

How often should you test for HIV?

You should get tested for HIV at least once a year if you are sexually active. You should test even if you have not had unprotected sex or do not think you are at risk of getting HIV. You may wish to test more regularly depending on the number of sexual partners you have.

Everybody who is sexually active is at risk of getting HIV but some groups are considered to have a higher risk. If you fall into one of these groups you may wish to test more often for HIV infection.

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How quickly will I get my results?

Getting an HIV test is important if you have had unprotected sex and think you may have been exposed to the virus. The time it takes to get a test and get test results can vary depending on what type of test you take and where you take the test.

How long do you have to wait for an HIV test?

Home test kits are normally sent on the same day that they are ordered, so should take 1 to 2 days to arrive. You may also book in for a rapid HIV test with a nurse at select Superdrug Health Clinics, though the time for an appointment will depend on availability at the clinic.

How long do HIV test results take?

You can expect to receive the results of your HIV test within 3-5 days of your sample reaching the lab. One of our doctors will contact you through your patient account, or by phone, to discuss your results and give you advice on next steps.

How long does it take to test positive for HIV?

Tests that are sent to a lab usually detect HIV infection 18 to 45 days after exposure. Rapid tests that use blood from a finger prick can take longer to detect HIV (18 to 90 days after an exposure).

Our online messaging service is encrypted for security and confidentiality. Our doctors will never email or text you about your results to make sure your privacy is protected.

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What do my results mean?

What does a negative HIV test result mean?

A negative HIV test means that no signs of infection have been found in the sample you provided. As HIV infection takes time to develop in the body a negative result only indicates that no infection was present when the sample was taken. A further test should be taken if you are not sure exactly when you may have been exposed to HIV.

If you have not been exposed to HIV for more than 45 days a blood test showing a negative result should be reliable. Your doctor may recommend taking a test at 3 months to confirm the first result.

If you stop having sex and test after 45 days and 3 months, a negative result should be conclusive.

What does a positive HIV test result mean?

A positive HIV test result means that HIV infection has been found in the sample provided. One of our doctors will discuss the next steps with you if you get a positive HIV test result. You may have to do a second test to confirm the first result, to make sure that it was not a false positive.

What does a false positive HIV test mean?

No test is 100% accurate. HIV tests look for antibodies, and if these are found the test result will be positive. Sometimes, the test identifies the wrong antibodies – ones that are not caused by HIV infection. Although this is rare it does happen sometimes and this is why a positive result should always be confirmed by a second HIV test.

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What should I do if I test positive for HIV?

Testing positive for HIV can be upsetting, and our expert doctors are on hand to help you to understand the next steps.

It is important to understand that HIV treatments are very effective and most people can expect to live long, healthy lives once treatment has begun.

Next Steps

One of our doctors will arrange for you to have a follow up HIV test. If your second test is also positive we will put you in contact with specialists who will do more tests and then start your HIV treatment.

Normally you will have a series of tests before you begin treatment. These tests will check the amount of HIV in your blood. This is called a viral load test. The second test will check how the HIV infection has affected your immune system.

Do I need to contact my sexual partners if I test positive for HIV?

Yes. You should contact all of your sexual partners if you test positive. HIV infection can be passed on very easily in the first few weeks after you have developed it. This may be before you have had a positive result.

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What is HIV?

HIV is a virus that is passed through bodily fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, anal (bottom) fluids, and breast milk. HIV weakens your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off infections or diseases.

HIV is not the same as AIDS, though they are often confused as being the same thing. AIDS (Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is a condition that can develop when your immune system has been severely damaged by HIV. It describes a range of infections and illnesses that can develop as a result of your body’s weak immune response known as ‘opportunistic infections’.

How is HIV spread?

HIV lives in the blood and some bodily fluids and it is not easily passed between people. To pass on the virus it must get into the blood from:

• semen

• vaginal fluids

• breast milk

• blood

• the lining of the anus (bottom)

HIV is mostly spread through unprotected vaginal or anal sex. Catching HIV through oral sex is considered to be much less likely. The risk from oral sex is higher if:

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Can HIV be treated?

There are no cures for HIV, but treatment is available that is highly effective at controlling the virus. Most people living with HIV can expect to live normal, healthy, and long lives.

HIV treatment

HIV treatment is based on medicines called antiretroviral medicines. These drugs stop the virus from reproducing in your body and this allows the immune system to repair itself.

Some HIV treatments are combined into 1 pill but most people will take up to 4 pills every day. Different drugs are needed as HIV can adapt quickly and become resistant to medications.

The amount of virus in your body, known as the viral load, will be checked regularly. After 6 months most people do not have enough virus left in the body to detect. Medication will need to be taken throughout your lifetime to maintain this low viral load. People with a low viral load should not be able to pass the infection on to other people.

HIV medication should be monitored by your GP as it can interact with other medicines, including ones that are available over the counter. For this reason, it is important to tell your doctor if you intend to take any new medications.

HIV prevention

Some people who are at a higher risk of getting HIV may be able to use medicine that prevents you from catching the virus. This can include people who have a partner who is HIV positive.

Medicine called pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is taken as a tablet before having sex. You can order it using our confidential service. You should also be able to get PrEP from your local sexual health clinic.

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Sources

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