Confidential HIV Test Milton Keynes
Better2Know offer confidential, and anonymous HIV testing, at our private sexual health clinic in Milton Keynes. Our facilities are clean and modern. Our team are friendly and discreet. They will make sure that your test is carried out as easily as possible.
At our Milton Keynes clinic, we offer three HIV testing options, including a Rapid HIV test which provides you with your test results within twenty minutes. This test is appropriate for detecting HIV if exposure occurred more than 26 days ago.
You can call our booking team 24 hours a day seven days a week or book a test online.
The full range of HIV testing options in Milton Keynes are:
- Rapid HIV Test. Provides a highly accurate HIV test result within 20 minutes, while you wait. This test is appropriate for detecting HIV, if the potentail exposures 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 combination will detect any 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 withing the last ten days. 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. This test is available in Milton Keynes with Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, as part of our Early Detection Screen.
How is HIV transmitted?
HIV is passed on through the exchange of bodily fluids. Most commonly this happens through unprotected oral, vaginal or anal penetrative sex with someone who is HIV positive. Any exchange of body fluid, with someone who is HIV positive, carries a risk of transmission.
If you share needles, syringes or other drug injecting equipment with someone who is HIV positive, then you are at high risk of exposure to the virus.
You can also become infected with HIV through blood transfusions. Nowadays, all blood in the UK is screened, so this has become much rarer.
Symptoms of HIV
The early symptoms of HIV usually occur within two to six weeks after exposure to the virus. Not everyone will have early symptoms. They can last for up to four weeks. These symptoms are a sign, that the body is fighting off an infection. They are common to many illnesses, and so not mean that you have HIV. 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 early enough, and appropriately treated, then HIV is not the life threatening illness it once was. The key is to get tested as soon as possible. The Better2Know Early Detection Screen gives you very 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 in HIV. They will help you to plan your treatment, and discuss any advice you may need.
Better2Know is supported by the Terrence Higgins Trust, who have been providing advice to the newly diagnosed for over 30 years. We can also help you to speak to one of their advisors if you would like.