Confidential HIV Test Maidstone

Our private sexual health clinic in Maidstone is a clean, modern and friendly environment for your HIV test.  We have friendly, discreet, non-judgemental staff to put you at your ease.

In Maidstone you have the choice of three HIV testing options.  This includes a Rapid HIV test which provides you with your test results within twenty minutes.

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

The full range of HIV testing options in Maidstone are:

  • 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 from 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 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 to come back from the laboratory.  This test is available as part of our Early Detection Screen.  This screen includes Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

How can you get HIV?

The risk of exposure to HIV can take place if you have unprotected oral, vaginal or anal penetrative sex with someone who is HIV positive.

If you share needles or syringes with someone who is HIV positive, or you have sex with someone who does, then you are also at risk of contracting the virus.

It is also possible to become infected with HIV through blood transfusions.  All blood in the UK is now screened, so this has become much rarer.

Symptoms of HIV

The early symptoms of an HIV infection are similar to those seen with many common illnesses.  They can include: a fever, sore throat, headache, rash, mouth ulcers, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. 

The only way to tell if a person has the HIV virus is to be tested.

If diagnosed and appropriately treated early enough then HIV is not the life threatening illness it once was. The key is to get tested as soon as possible after exposure, so that you can access appropriate treatment for you.

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 in HIV who will design the right treatment plan for you.

Better2Know is supported by the Terrence Higgins Trust, who have been providing advice to the newly diagnosed for over 30 years.  We can help you to speak to an advisor at the Trust.