Confidential HIV Test Bolton

Better2Know offer a confidential and anonymous HIV testing service.  We have clinics near Bolton, which are clean and modern.  We have a friendly and discreet team to help you to get tested. Our accredited Laboratory, where your sample will be tested, has very fast turnaround times.  So you can rest assured that you will have fast accurate results. 

If detected early enough, and treated appropriately, then HIV is no longer the life threatening virus it once was. In these cricumstances, you can expect to still live a normal length life. The longer HIV is left untreated, then the greater the risk of long-term damage to the immune system. This will decrease the chance for the treatment to be effective.

You can call our booking team 24 hours a day seven days a week or book a test online.

Our range of HIV testing options near Bolton include:

  • Rapid HIV Test. Provides a highly accurate HIV test result within 20 minutes while you wait. This test is appropriate for detecting HIV exposures that have occurred more than 26 days ago.
  • 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.  This detects an HIV infection sooner than a traditional antibody test.
  • HIV 10 Day PCR RNA Test. This test provides accurate HIV testing results for possible exposures 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 lab. The HIV RNA test is available with Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

How can you get HIV?

HIV is transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids. This includes unprotected vaginal or anal penetrative sex with someone who is HIV positive.  It is possible to become infected with HIV through oral sex (the risk however is lower).

Sharing a needle or syringe with someone who already has HIV, carries a high risk of exposure to the virus. It is also possible for HIV to be transmitted through blood transfusions.  Most Western countries now routinely screen blood products, and this form of transmission is rare.

What are the Symptoms?

Early Symptoms of HIV are an outward sign of the body trying to fight off an infection and can include:

  • Fever
  • Sore throat
  • Headache
  • Rash
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Diarrhoea
  • Vomitin,g
  • Muscle pain
  • Tiredness
  • Abdominal pain

The symptoms, which can often first occur two to four weeks after exposure are similar to many common illnesses. Therefore the only way to know if you have HIV, is to get tested.

What if I test Positive?

By getting tested, you are taking the first steps to protecting your long term health.  We will be here to help you with the next steps should you need us, and will refer you to an HIV specialist.

You can also get advice and support from the Terrence Higgins Trust who have been providing advice to the newly diagnosed for over 30 years. They have a dedicated website www.myhiv.org.uk  and app where the HIV positive community can share their experiences and feelings.