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HIV Test

Worried and anxious that you may have been exposed to someone with HIV? You can use our HIV home blood test kit in the comfort of your own home, using our finger-prick test kit. We’ll send you everything you need, including instructions and a pre-paid return envelope for your blood sample. Order your at-home blood test kit now.

NowPatient HIV Test kits
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MEDICAL INFORMATION

HIV Test Key Facts

Navin Khosla NowPatientGreen tick
Medically reviewed by Navin Khosla, B.Pharm
Written by
Created
October 4, 2024 (Current Version)

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a viral sexually transmitted infection usually caught during unprotected vaginal or anal sex with an infected sexual partner. HIV can also be transmitted through blood by sharing needles. Also, a mother can pass it on to her baby during pregnancy or in breast milk.

HIV attacks your immune system, weakening your ability to fight infections and illness. If untreated, it may lead to the development of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

When should you take an HIV home test?

You should take an HIV test if you are at risk of HIV infection. This may be if you have had unprotected sex or possible exposure to HIV in another way.

What does the HIV test check for?

The HIV test will look for HIV antibodies and p24 antigens in the blood. HIV antibodies are produced by the immune system when you have a HIV type 1 or type 2 infection. P24 antigen is a protein from the HIV virus, found during the initial HIV infection.

How to use an HIV home test kit

Our finger-prick HIV blood test can be taken from 4 weeks after exposure, in your own home. The test should be repeated at 12 weeks post-exposure to confirm the results. We’ll send you everything you need, including instructions and a pre-paid return envelope for your blood sample.

Are at-home HIV test kits reliable? What you should know

At-home HIV screening kits are reliable, however:

  • There is a small chance of false positive or negative results
  • Self-tests may not be reliable for the detection of recent infections
  • Follow-up testing is required after a reactive result, especially if you think the results are not accurate
  • Certain health conditions and medicines can affect results
  • Oral fluid samples may be less reliable than blood samples

What is the difference between rapid and mail-in HIV home test kits?

Rapid HIV home test kits use a finger prick or oral fluid sample and provide results within minutes. Mail-in HIV home test kits use a sample of blood that is sent to a lab for testing. Results are normally available within 2 to 5 days.

Frequently Asked Questions about HIV tests

How accurate are HIV home test kits compared to lab-based testing?

HIV tests are not 100% accurate. Around 0.5% of people not infected will have a false positive result. False HIV-negative results are most common during the first few weeks after HIV infection. After 3 months, HIV tests are more than 99.97% accurate. Many HIV tests give a negative result to 99% of people who do not have HIV.

What is the window period for detecting HIV using a home test?

The window period is the time between exposure and when a test can detect the infection. This will depend on the type of HIV test and how the sample is collected.

  • Nucleic acid lab tests can detect HIV 10 to 33 days after exposure
  • Antigen/antibody blood tests can detect HIV 18 to 45 days after exposure
  • Antigen/antibody rapid tests can detect HIV 18 to 90 days after exposure
  • Antibody tests (rapid or self-test) can detect HIV 23 to 90 days after exposure
  • HIV self-test tells you your HIV status 90 days ago

A single HIV test 4 weeks after exposure is normally enough for most people to detect an infection. Individuals with high-risk behaviour may need more frequent testing.

How long does it take to get results from a rapid HIV self-test?

Your HIV self-test results will be available within one working day of receiving your sample at the laboratory.

Can HIV home test kits detect both HIV-1 and HIV-2?

Yes. The HIV test will look for HIV antibodies produced by the immune system when you have an HIV type 1 or type 2 infection.

What should I do if my HIV test result is positive?

If your HIV diagnosis is HIV positive, the lab will conduct further tests. If you think you have recently been exposed to HIV and need post-exposure prophylaxis, visit your nearest sexual health clinic or A&E, to speak to a healthcare provider as soon as possible for HIV treatment.

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VIRTUAL HEALTHCARE

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Everything You Need to Know About Home Health Testing

What is the Home Health Testing Service and how does it work?

Blood tests are a convenient way for you to investigate your health concerns. NowPatient’s Home Health Testing allows you to test hundreds of different biomarkers which can help confirm if your health concerns are valid or simply give you peace of mind that you are in good health.

See the video below to learn about how the service works:

What is a biomarker?

A biomarker, or biological marker, is something that can be measured to provide information about an individual’s health or the presence of disease. In the NowPatient Home Health Tests, biomarkers are used to identify normal or abnormal processes in the body, detect illnesses, monitor how a disease is progressing, or determine how well a treatment is working.

The Importance of Biomarkers include:

  • Enable early detection of diseases
  • Assist in selecting the right treatments
  • Help monitor recovery or treatment success
  • Provide a picture of overall or specific health status

What Health Tests does NowPatient offer in the UK?

NowPatient offers the following Home Health Tests for UK customers:

  • Kidney Function test
  • Liver Function test
  • Vitamin D test
  • Testosterone test
  • Cholesterol test
  • Diabetes test
  • Syphilis test
  • Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea test
  • Ovarian Cancer (CA 125) test
  • HIV test
  • 7 in 1 STI test
  • Nuts and seeds allergy test
  • Food allergy test
  • Milk and Milk proteins allergy test
  • Shellfish allergy test
  • Atopic Dermatitis/Eczema Profile test
  • Allergic Rhinitis/Asthma Profile test

What Health Tests does NowPatient offer in the US?

NowPatient offers the following Home Health Tests for US customers:

  • 2 Panel STI test
  • 6 Panel STI test
  • 10 Panel STI test
  • Testosterone test
  • Men’s Panel hormone test
  • Women’s Panel test

Is this a safe service?

Yes. For UK users, our laboratory operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is the UK’s largest diagnostic laboratory service which is UKAS and ISO-certified.

For US users, our American laboratory is CLIA-certified and registered with the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Our telehealth clinicians review your test results and schedule a live virtual consultation to explain the findings. After the discussion, the results are made available in your account for viewing or download, so you can easily share them with your doctor.

Are Home Health Testing kits reliable?

Yes. Our UK kits are certified by UKAS and CE-marked. Our US kits are CLIA-certified and registered with the Pennsylvania Department of Health

  • Test kits have an outer seal design, with the product and regulatory information and a tamper-proof seal
  • UK Test kits are registered with the Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for distribution in the UK only
  • US Test kits are registered with the Pennsylvania Department of Health
  • Test kits are available in multi-language translations
  • Each test kit contains a warnings and precautions section with detailed information for the healthcare organisation and yourself as the patient
  • Video instructions supporting the specific sample collection are provided with each Self-Collect kit. Videos are designed to emphasise the important steps associated with capillary blood sampling and do not supersede or replace the specific end-user instructions provided with each kit

Is the service available in the United States and the United Kingdom?

Yes. This service is available in the United Kingdom and the United States.

Do I need to pay for this service?

Yes, this is currently a private service. However, in the UK, this may change and may be funded by the NHS, in the future. In the US, it may be possible it is covered by insurance, but this depends on your health plan.

How do I use the NowPatient Home Health Testing Service?

Navigate to the Home Health Testing Service Card which can be found in the ‘Private Care’ section of the account homepage.

Choose ‘View Tests’ from the Options Menu on the Home Health Testing Service Card. You can now start by entering the name of the test you’re interested in using the search box.

Or, browse the full range of tests available from NowPatient. To learn more about a specific test and its benefits, click ‘View Test’.

Once you’ve made your choice, click ‘Add to Cart’ to proceed.

Follow the steps below to complete your purchase:

How to Checkout on NowPatient
  • Go to Cart using Account Navigation - order
    1
    Go to Cart using Account Navigation
  • If there is an NHS service item in the Cart - An NHS Exemption Declaration will Pop Up - order
    2
    If there is an NHS service item in the Cart - An NHS Exemption Declaration will Pop Up
  • Complete the NHS Exemption Declaration for each NHS service item - order
    3
    Complete the NHS Exemption Declaration for each NHS service item
  • Select ‘Checkout’ - order
    4
    Select ‘Checkout’
  • Select Delivery Address - order
    5
    Select Delivery Address
  • Select Delivery Method - order
    6
    Select Delivery Method
  • Confirm Billing Address - order
    7
    Confirm Billing Address
  • Review Order - order
    8
    Review Order
  • 9
    Submit Payment
  • Order Completed - order
    10
    Order Completed
  • Return to Account Homepage - order
    11
    Return to Account Homepage
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What Happens Next:

  1. Home Test Kit Delivery
    Your Home Health Testing Kit will be delivered to your home or preferred address.
  2. Collect Your Sample
    Follow the step-by-step instructions included in the kit to collect your sample.Test kit instructions
  3. Return Your Sample
    Use the prepaid return packaging provided to send your sample back to our laboratory.
  4. Processing & Notification
    Once your sample has been analysed, you’ll receive a notification letting you know your results are ready.
  5. Book Your Consultation
    Schedule an appointment with one of our licensed clinicians to review your results. Follow the instructions below to book:

    How to Book a Consultation With NowPatient
    • Book gp consultation slideshow 1
      1
      Book Consultation
    • Book gp consultation slideshow 2
      2
      Choose Consultation Date
      Next, you’ll be taken to the ‘Consultation Date’ screen, where you can select your preferred consultation date. You can also add any notes that might assist the clinician during your session. Click ‘Continue’ to proceed.
    • Book gp consultation slideshow 3
      3
      Choose Consultation Time
      You will now see the ‘Consultation Time’ screen. Select your preferred time for the consultation and then click ‘Continue’.
    • Book gp consultation slideshow 4
      4
      Choose Clinician
      On the ‘Choose Clinician’ screen, you’ll be able to view available clinicians and select the one you prefer. You can filter the list by gender and spoken languages. Once you’ve made your selection, click ‘Continue’.
    • Book gp consultation slideshow 5
      5
      Booking Confirmation
      You will now arrive at the ‘Booking Confirmation’ screen, where you can review a summary of your booking. This screen also includes an advisory titled ‘Pre-consultation Requirements’, which offers helpful tips on how to prepare for your live video consultation. Click ‘Continue’ to proceed.
    • Book gp consultation slideshow 6
      6
      Safety Information & Reminders
      You’ll be asked to provide safety information, including: - The address where you will be during the consultation - Emergency contact details You can also opt to receive an SMS reminder 30 minutes before your scheduled video consultation.
    • Book gp consultation slideshow 7
      7
      Final Confirmation
      Click ‘Confirm Booking’ to complete the process. A pop-up will appear to confirm your booking, and you will be redirected to your account homepage. You’ll also receive confirmation via In-App and Push notifications.
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  6. View Your Results
    After your consultation, your results will be available in the ‘Reports & Letters’ section on the account homepage.

How do I return the sample to your laboratory?

We supply you with a return system package. Use this to send back the sample. Samples are fully tracked and can be posted from any Royal Mail post box, for UK customers, or USPS, for US customers.

How long does it take to get the test results back?

Test results can take up to 10 working days to process from the day we receive your sample back.

What happens during the consultation?

Here’s how the virtual consultation will generally go:

  1. Introduction & Verification
    The clinician will begin by introducing themselves and confirming your identity to ensure privacy and confidentiality.
  2. Review of Test Results
    They will walk you through your test results, explaining what each value means in simple, understandable terms.For example, if your cholesterol is high, they’ll explain how that might affect your health.
  3. Personalized Interpretation
    The clinician will consider your health history, lifestyle, and any symptoms you report to provide context. This helps them give a more accurate, personalised interpretation of your results.
  4. Health Advice & Recommendations
    Based on your results, the clinician may offer advice such as lifestyle changes, dietary suggestions, or recommend further testing or follow-up care.If the results indicate something that needs medical attention, they may advise you to consult your doctor or specialist.
  5. Answering Your Questions
    You’ll have time to ask questions or discuss any concerns. The goal is to make sure you understand your health status and next steps clearly.
  6. Next Steps & Support
    After the consultation, your results and a summary of the discussion will be made available in the ‘Reports & Letters’ section on your account homepage.

Are my results confidential?

Yes, we follow strict General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) which came into force in May 2018. This places legal requirements on ourselves to ensure your personal data is managed securely with utmost confidentiality. Records are maintained of the processing that is carried out and reported when breaches of the regulation do occur. Our platform is also HIPAA compliant which means we are able to handle PHI (Personal Health Information) securely.

Are you able to prescribe a treatment plan, if my results indicate I need treatment?

For UK users, our prescribing clinicians may be able to provide a private treatment plan, subject to their clinical judgment. Unfortunately, we do not operate a service where you can request a certain medication.

What are the limitations of the Home Health Testing service?

All test kits have a certain level of inaccuracy, therefore results can only be taken as estimates. It should be noted that all tests are performed in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and test performance is regularly monitored through internal and external quality control for test result interpretation.

We do not recommend sending samples back between Friday noon and Monday morning due to delays.

Are there any concerns or risks I need to be aware of?

Tests cannot be performed if samples fall short of the quality, volume, or other eligibility criteria. In these cases, the laboratory may need to reject the samples, and not carry out processing. Sometimes the laboratory is able to rectify a situation and although turnaround times may be affected, it avoids having to arrange for samples to be taken again.

Tests cannot be performed if:

  • incorrect sample types are received
  • samples are received unprotected from light when they are required to be covered at the point of venepuncture
  • samples are received in incorrect containers
  • no sample received
  • samples mislabelled, unlabelled, or with no forms, or no clinical information
  • samples are broken or have leaked in transit
  • samples are contaminated (e.g. being in the same bag as a leaking sample)
  • sample stability time has been exceeded (stability time is test dependent, and also refers to tests that can only be carried out on certain days of the week)
  • samples are received in expired tubes
  • the laboratory will not accept samples packaged with needles of any kind