HIV testing kit

Testing for HIV

Statistics from 2017 show that there are over 100,000 people in the UK who are currently living with HIV.

You may be at an increased risk of contracting HIV if you:

• inject drugs and share needles and syringes
• are a man who has sex with men (MSM)
• are a woman who has sex with MSM
• have previously been diagnosed or treated for other STIs
• have had sex with someone who fits the above criteria

For the first time in 2016, death rates of people diagnosed with HIV and taking antiretroviral drugs, were similar to the rest of the population.

Knowing your HIV status is important for a healthy sex life. If left untreated, HIV can progress to AIDS, which causes irreversible damage to the immune system.

While HIV can cause symptoms, they aren't always present. So the only way of knowing whether you have HIV is to get tested.

While the two conditions are linked, there are differences between HIV and AIDS.

HIV refers to the virus (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) which can be passed on through unprotected sex.

AIDS is the condition caused by HIV, which weakens the immune system. AIDS is not transmittable, however, people with AIDS can still carry and pass on HIV.

If you are at risk of contracting HIV, you may want to consider talking to your GP about PrEP.

PrEP is a type of prophylaxis medicine taken by HIV-negative people which, when taken daily, has been shown to reduce the risk of contracting the virus.

When should I get tested for HIV?

You should get tested for HIV if you believe you are at risk of exposure.

The window period of the test (the time in which the test is most accurate) is between 3 and 4 weeks after exposure. Do note that it can take up to 3 months for HIV to show up in blood tests.

If you take a test too early, you may receive a false negative result. You should take a second test at least six weeks after initial exposure to determine the presence of HIV in your blood.

HIV Testing Kits

The HIV testing kit is a simple blood test you can do privately, from the comfort of your own home.

Once you've collected the sample, use the enclosed prepaid envelope to mail your sample to our partner laboratory for testing.

Upon receipt of your sample, professional laboratory technicians will analyse your blood.

Your results will be made available online through your Prescription Doctor account.

The HIV testing kit contains:

• 2 moist wipes
• 2 plasters
• 2 swabs
• 3 lancets
• A marked vial
• A name label
• A plastic wallet
• A prepaid envelope
• A sample label
• A security label

How Accurate Are the HIV Testing Kits?

So long as you have collected the blood sample correctly, the results are analysed to the same degree of accuracy as tests taken on the NHS (which are about 99.8% accurate).

How does the HIV test work?

Our HIV test is a 5th generation testing kit that identifies p24 pathogens and antibodies in your blood belonging to both HIV-1 and HIV-2, the former belonging to 95% of confirmed cases.

The home test is 99.8% effective at detecting HIV at least 6 weeks after exposure to the virus. However, this doesn't mean you should wait 6 weeks to seek help. If you suspect you have been exposed to the virus, you should speak to your doctor as soon as you can. If it has been less than 72 hours since your exposure to the virus, your doctor may suggest taking PrEP.

How to Take the HIV Test

Follow the instructions that come with your HIV testing kit carefully.

Before taking the test, warm your hands by washing them in warm water and dry them thoroughly. Ensure you are standing up to increase blood flow.

1. Use one of the provided swabs to clean the area of the finger you will be drawing blood from, and wipe dry with a clean tissue.
2. Twist off the cap of the lancet. Press the lancet firmly against the area on the finger you wish to draw blood from. This will puncture your skin.
3. Wipe away the first drop of blood with a tissue.
4. Gently press the punctured finger to extract the blood. Avoid squeezing the blood out, as this can destroy red blood cells and cause the test to be inconclusive or unclear.
5. Position your finger over the vial. Fill the vial to the marked line.
6. Once you have collected the required amount, twist the cap onto the vial until you hear a click. Mix the blood in the vial by gently inverting it 5 to 10 times.
7. Label the vial. Add the vial of blood, the used lancets and the request form into the box and post them straight away.

When Should I Post the Sample?

You should post your sample as soon as you can after collecting it.

Your local post box should display a time when the post is collected from it. You should post your sample near this time.

You can find your nearest post box online using this map.

If you leave your blood sample for too long, the sample may become haemolysed. This is when the blood cells break down and become unsuitable for testing.

How Will I Receive My HIV Test Results?

Once our partner laboratory has received your sample, it should take 2 days for your results to be ready. Your results will be made available through your online Prescription Doctor account. To protect your privacy, we will not send your results directly to you.

How Will I Know When My Results Are Available?

When your test results are ready, you will be informed via text and email. You can access the results by logging into your Prescription Doctor account.

What Do I Do If The Test Result Is Positive?

You will need to arrange a follow-up test to confirm your HIV status using an alternative testing method.

If your test comes back positive, our compassionate doctors can offer support and advice on current treatment options.

Staying Safe with Prescription Doctor

All of our home testing kits are certified to be used within the UK and are dispatched from our UK registered pharmacy.

So long as the test sample is taken correctly, our home testing kits are as reliable as those you would get at a sexual health clinic or the hospital.

Always read the instructions carefully before taking the test, and refer back to them while conducting the test to ensure you are collecting the sample correctly.

Additional resources

FAQs About Our Home Testing Kits

How Accurate Are HIV Home Testing Kits?