The way HIV is detected

In the early stages, HIV can only be tested with a blood test, as the infection often causes no symptoms. An estimated 77,400 persons were living with HIV in the UK at the end of 2007, of these over a quarter had no idea that they had the infection. This is a cause for concern as the infection is spread from person to person by sexual contact with an infected person, by sharing needles and syringes principally for drug use with someone who is infected, it can also be transmitted through transfusions of infected blood.

The blood test that takes place at clinics in London and throughout major cities in the UK requires a sample of blood taken which is either sent to a laboratory, with results returned in a few days, or a Rapid test when the results can be given in 5 to 30 minutes. These Rapid tests are as accurate as the ones sent to the laboratory but are more expensive, a price that may be worth paying if you are concerned that you may have been exposed to the virus. Contact your test clinic in London Birmingham or Manchester for a completely confidential HIV test.