Confidential HIV Test Beaconsfield
Better2Know brings you a private, confidential, and anonymous HIV testing service at our Beaconsfield sexual health clinic. Our facilities are modern and clean, with a friendly and discreet team, who will help you to get your tests done easily.
You can call our booking team 24 hours a day seven days a week or book a test online.
Our Beaconsfield clinic offer two types of HIV tests:
- HIV 28 Day DUO Test. Provides very accurate HIV testing results for possible exposures that occurred at least four weeks ago. Results are available the same day your sample is received in the laboratory. The HIV Duo test combines an HIV antibody and HIV antigen test in order to detect HIV infection sooner than a traditional antibody test.
- HIV 10 Day PCR RNA Test. This test provides accurate HIV testing results for possible exposures that occurred at least ten days ago. While it is slightly less accurate than HIV DUO testing, it can give peace of mind earlier. It should be followed up at 28 days with a DUO test. The results for this HIV test take three working days to come back from the laboratory. The HIV RNA test is available in Beaconsfield, with Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.
How can you get HIV?
You are at risk of exposure to HIV, if you have unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sex with someone who already has the HIV virus. If you share needles or syringes with someone who is HIV positive then you are also at high risk of contracting the virus.
You can also become infected with HIV through blood transfusions. All blood in the UK is screened, so this has become much rarer. There is a risk of catching HIV any time bodily fluid is exchanged with someone who already carries the virus.
What are the Symptoms of HIV?
The early symptoms of HIV can occur between two to four weeks after exposure. They can last for upto four weeks. Symptomsand may include:
- High fever
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Rash
- Mouth ulcers
- Diarrhoea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain
The only way you can know if you have HIV is by getting tested. The sooner you get tested, then the greater the chance that the appropriate treatment will be effective. This means that anyone who tests positive early, can expect to live a normal length of life.
What if I test positive?
If you do test positive then do not worry, we are here to help you. Your Better2Know Doctor will refer you to a specialist HIV Consultant.
You can also get advice and support through our partner, the Terrence Higgins Trust who have been providing advice to the newly diagnosed for over 30 years.