Compare the leading brands testing HIV 1 & 2

HIV, or the human immunodeficiency virus, is a virus that damages the cells in your immune system and weakens your ability to fight everyday infections and disease. If left untreated, it can weaken your body’s immune system, often with mild infections becoming life-threatening due to its weakened state.

HIV is not spread like cold and flu viruses. HIV lives in the blood and in some bodily fluids. To contract HIV, you will need to be in contact with these infected bodily fluids or blood through anal or vaginal sex, or the sharing of needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment.

80% of sexually transmitted infections are asymptomatic, meaning that they do not display any symptoms, however, if symptoms do occur, they are likely to present themselves within two weeks of infection.

What are the symptoms of HIV?

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches and joint pain
• Rash
• Sore throat and painful mouth sores
• Swollen lymph glands, mainly on the neck
• Diarrhoea
• Weight loss
• Cough
• Night sweats

Who is recommended to test:

Being tested for HIV 1 & 2 Test is advised if you:

• have a partner who has been diagnosed with an STI;
• have entered a new sexual relationship with someone;
• have had unprotected sexual intercourse;
• have symptoms that indicate the presence of an STI;

How do I get tested for HIV?

A STI or HIV Health Test will look for the following biomarker:

• HIV 1 & 2 antibodies, p24 antigen

When your body is infected with HIV, your immune system will produce antibodies to fight the infection. A complete STI or HIV test will look for these antibodies, to determine whether you are infected with HIV or not.

Key points:

• HIV is a virus that damages the cells in your immune system and weakens your ability to fight everyday infections and disease. If left untreated, it can weaken your body’s immune system, often with mild infections becoming life-threatening due to its weakened state.
• HIV is not spread like cold and flu viruses. HIV lives in the blood and in some bodily fluids.
• To contract HIV, you will need to be in contact with these infected bodily fluids or blood through anal or vaginal sex, or the sharing of needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment.

How a Sample is Taken

With most health tests, there are two options for taking a sample of blood, which is used to test for certain biomarkers. The two most common options are a finger-prick or venous draw:

Finger prick Draw:
Health Tests that take blood via the ‘finger-prick’ method are usually done within the comfort of your own home, enabling you to take a small amount of blood discreetly and conveniently when you want to.  

Venous Draw:
Once you have booked your health test, you’ll be sent the blood kit which includes all the equipment needed for a professional blood draw by an experienced healthcare professional, with clinics available across the UK to take your sample.

Details about which option is available for this health test, are available when you compare the results.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How severe is HIV?HPV damages the cells in your immune system and if left untreated, it can weaken your body’s immune system, often with mild infections becoming life-threatening due to its weakened state. HIV is life-threatening if left untreated.

  HIV damages the cells in your immune system and if left untreated, it can weaken your body’s immune system, often with mild infections becoming life-threatening due to its weakened state. HIV is life-threatening if left untreated.

• Can HIV be cured?

  Currently there is no cure for HIV, however, there are very effective drug treatments that enable most people with the virus to live a long and healthy life.

• What are the symptoms of HIV?

  Over 80% of sexually transmitted infections are asymptomatic, meaning that they do not display any symptoms, however, if symptoms do occur, they are likely to present themselves within two weeks of infection. Symptoms of HIV may include fever, headache, muscle aches, weight loss and diarrhea.

• Is it best to be tested for just HIV or all the STIs?

  Most tests will check for more than one STIs, giving you peace of mind. It is often more cost effective to be tested for more than one STI at once, rather than do them singularly.