HIV TESTING

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that targets and weakens the body's natural defence system, also known as the immune system. With a weakened immune system it increases the risk of contracting other viral infections.

You can visit our Sexual Health Clinic today to test for HIV. Our clinic is strategically located in London to ensure easy accessibility for all our patients.

We offer a number of HIV test options suited to individual needs of patients. The test results range from Instant HIV test, signifying the presence of HIV antibodies which are available in as short as 60 seconds and other more comprehensive testing taking longer.

Causes of HIV

HIV is not transmitted through basic physical contact, neither is it transmitted through the air. It can only be transmitted through bodily fluid transfer (except for urine, sweat, and saliva) from an infected person into the bloodstream of another person.  It can also be transferred from an infected person’s mouth sores/ulcers, which transmits via kissing.

Sharing towels, cutlery, swimming pools, or healthy, unbroken skin-to-skin contact, cannot cause the spread of HIV.

The most frequent way to contract the virus is via unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person or sharing a contaminated needle or unscreened blood products. Transmission from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding is also possible.

Contact with the following bodily fluids of an infected person can result in infection:

• Breast milk
• Menstrual blood
• Vaginal fluid
• Blood
• Fluids found in the anus lining
• Semen

Routes for transmission of  HIV

• Bloodstream
• Through cuts and sores through the lining of the mouth and eyes
• Through the lining of the anus and genitals.

HIV tests we offer

At Sexual Health Clinic, we offer the following HIV tests

• Instant HIV test
• HIV antibody and P24 antigen
• HIV-1 RNA fast early detection
• Multiple (HIV, hepatitis B and C) early

All HIV tests are blood tests which are simple and relatively painless. You may only feel a slight pain when the sample is being taken.

Ensure that you are hydrated before attending your appointment. Once the result is ready, our doctor will call you to give you your results and possibly ask you come back for a repeat visit for further testing or a prescription. The cost of your short consultation with one of our expert doctors will be added to the cost of your test.

You do not have to worry about our availability because we have a laboratory that operates round the clock and we work effortlessly having a fast turnaround time of 24 hours. 

• The HIV antibody and P24 antigen test cost £46 with a turnaround time of 24 hours
• The HIV-1 early detection test (accurate 10 days post exposure) costs £149 with a turnaround time of 24 hours

Getting your result

You decide how you want us to deliver you results: in person, by email, or a phone call. (We do not text message you.) If you do not want us to contact you, we can arrange a mutual and convenient time with you when our doctor is available to discuss your results with you.

Having a HIV test is the only guaranteed way to be certain if you are infected. If you believe you have been exposed, please call us 0203 475 1653 and book an appointment with our friendly staff for a test or walk in and visit our clinic today. We will be happy to help you.

The test you need will depend on how much time has passed since your exposure to the virus.

FAQs