Getting Tested
Where to get an HIV test
You can have an HIV test at:
- Chalmers Sexual Health Centre
- Your local sexual health service
- Your GP practice
You can also use a home HIV self-sampling service, where you collect a sample at home and send it to a laboratory for testing. Visit our HIV self-testing information for more information.
If you are a man who has sex with men, you can find additional information about HIV testing on our Men who have sex with men page.
If you have an HIV test and the result is positive, we recommend that you tell your GP.
Confidentiality and HIV testing
If you have an HIV test through your GP, the test and its result will be recorded in your medical records.
Your GP will not share your HIV test result without your permission, except in specific circumstances where they have a legal or professional duty to do so. If your doctor needs to share information with someone else, they will discuss this with you first.
What happens when you have an HIV test?
An HIV test usually involves taking a small sample of blood. This may be taken from your arm or, depending on the type of test, from your finger.
HIV tests look for signs of HIV infection in your blood. Depending on the type of test, this may include HIV antibodies and/or HIV antigens.
The HIV window period
After you have been exposed to HIV, it can take time before a test can detect the infection. This is known as the window period.
The length of the window period depends on the type of test you have. Tests using blood taken from your arm and sent to a laboratory can usually detect HIV within around one month. Finger-prick tests can have a longer window period.
If you have recently been exposed to HIV, a healthcare professional may recommend a follow-up test even if your first result is negative.
If you think you may have been exposed to HIV recently, do not wait until the end of the window period before seeking advice.
When will I get my HIV test results?
The time it takes to receive your results depends on where you have your test.
For example, results from testing at Chalmers are normally available within around one week. Results may be available sooner when there is a clinical reason for this.
Your healthcare professional will tell you when and how you will receive your results.
What happens if my HIV test is positive?
If your test shows that you have HIV, you will be referred to a specialist HIV service for further assessment, support and treatment.
HIV is a treatable medical condition. Effective treatment can help you stay healthy and well.
If you take HIV treatment and have an undetectable viral load, you cannot transmit HIV to your sexual partners. This is known as U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable).
For more information, see our HIV care and treatment information.
HIV, work and insurance
UK legislation protects people living with HIV from discrimination at work.
For most jobs, it is your choice whether you tell your employer that you have HIV. You may choose to tell your employer if you need time away from work for medical appointments.
Having HIV does not prevent you from getting life or travel insurance. However, some policies may have different terms or costs.
For specific advice about employment or insurance, speak to your HIV healthcare team or an appropriate advice service.
Telling a partner about an HIV diagnosis
You may have many different feelings about telling a current or previous partner that you have HIV. You may feel upset, worried, frightened or embarrassed.
If you are diagnosed with HIV, your current or previous partners may need to be offered an HIV test.
Our sexual health team can support you with partner notification. We can discuss who may need to be contacted and the safest and most appropriate way to do this.
A Health Adviser at Chalmers can contact previous partners on your behalf and keep your details confidential.
You cannot be forced to tell a current or previous partner about an STI or HIV diagnosis. However, partner notification is strongly recommended because it gives people who may have been exposed the opportunity to test and receive treatment or support.