Confidential HIV Test Sheffield

Better2Know offers you a discreet, confidential, and anonymous choice for you HIV test, at our private clinic in Sheffield. Our Clinics are Care Quality Commission approved, with friendly staff. For an HIV test, we take a small blood sample. It is then sent to our accredited laboratory for highly accurate, and fast results.

The most important thing in treating HIV effectively, is starting treatment early.  To do this, an early diagnosis is needed.  This means getting tested as early as possible.  At our Sheffield clinics, you can get tested as early as ten days after exposure, with our Early Detection Screen.  Results from this test are just three working days from when the sample is received by the laboratory.

To book your appointment: tou can call our booking team, or book on line, 24 hours a day seven days a week.

HIV testing options at our Sheffield clinics:

  • Rapid HIV Test.  This test gives you a very accurate HIV test result within 20 minutes, while you wait.  It is available at our Broomhill clinic. This test is appropriate for detecting HIV, if your exposure occurred at least 26 days ago
  • HIV 28 Day DUO Test. This test provides you a very accurate HIV test 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.  This combinations will detect 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 that occurred at least ten days ago. While it is slightly less accurate than HIV DUO testing, it can give peace of mind earlier but 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 in Sheffield with Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

How can you get HIV?

HIV transmission can take place if you have unprotected oral, vaginal or anal penetrative sex with someone who already has the HIV virus. Additionally if you share needles or syringes with someone who is HIV positive then you also risk exposure to the virus.

You can also become infected with HIV through blood transfusions although thankfully within the UK this is rare as most Western countries including the UK screen all blood products prior to use.

What are the Symptoms of HIV?

Early HIV symptoms, when they occur, can be similar to many common illnesses. They can include a fever, sore throat, headache, body rash, mouth ulcers, diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain. These symptoms usually begin between two to six weeks after initial transmission, and can last for up to four weeks. 

As most people will experience some of these symptoms at some point in their life, the only way to find out if you are HIV positive, is to get tested.  Just because you do or do not have any symptoms does not mean that you do or do not have HIV.

What if I test positive?

If you do test positive then please do not worry, we are here to help you. Your Better2Know Doctor will refer you to a specialist who will be able to help you, provide you with all the guidance and advice you need.  They will also advise you on the most up to date treatment options.