What are the symptoms of HIV and AIDS?

It is not possible to reliably diagnose HIV infection or AIDS based on symptoms alone. A person can have the infection and feel perfectly well, but their immune systems may nevertheless be damaged. It is important to remember that once someone is infected they can pass on HIV right away, even if they feel healthy. The only way to know for sure whether a person is infected with HIV is for them to have an HIV test.

The standard HIV test looks for antibodies in a person’s blood. Arranging an HIV test at one of the testing centres in London is straightforward and simple. Importantly, the test for HIV and for any other sexually transmitted infection is completely confidential and the result will be given to you quickly. The test will detect if you have any of these antibodies, which are the body’s response to an infection. So if a person has antibodies to HIV in their blood, it means they have been infected with HIV.