Confidential HIV Test Bradford
Better2Know has a sexual health clinic in Bradford for your confidential HIV test. Our friendly team are discreet and non-judgemental, and will help make your HIV test as easy as possible.
You can call our booking team to book your appointment 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also book your test online.
Our Bradford clinic has the following HIV testing options:
- 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 combination detects any HIV infection sooner than a traditional antibody only 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 from when the sample is received in the laboratory. T
How do you get HIV?
You are at risk of catching the HIV virus when you exchange bodily fluids with someone who is HIV positive. The risk of exposure varies depending on the nature of the exchange. The most common form of transmission is through unprotected oral, vaginal or anal penetrative sex.
If you share needles or syringes with someone who is HIV positive, or have sex with someone who does, this is also a high risk activity.
You can also become infected with HIV through blood transfusions. Now all blood in the UK is screened, so this has become much rarer.
Symptoms of HIV
The early symptoms of HIV can include: a fever, sore throat, headache, rash, mouth ulcers, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. These symptoms usually develop two to six weeks after exposure to the virus. They can last for up to four weeks.
As these symptoms are common to many illnesses, the only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested.
If diagnosed and appropriately treated early enough, then HIV is not the life threatening illness it once was. The key to succesful treatment, is to get tested as early as possible. The Better2Know Early Detection Screen provides highly accurate results from only ten days after exposure.
What if I test positive for HIV?
If you do test positive then do not worry, we are here to help you. Your Better2Know Doctor will refer you to a specialist who can help you with the appropriate next steps.
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.