Confidential HIV Test Southampton

Our Better2Know private clinic in Southampton, is a private and anonymous place for your HIV test with fast results.  With clean and modern facilities, and a friendly, discreet environment, we make sure that your test is as easy as possible.

You will see a nurse who will take a small blood sample.  This is sent to our accredited laboratory, who provide a fast and accurate result.

You can book your appointment by calling our booking team, or online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

HIV tests at our Southampton clinic:

  • HIV 28 Day DUO Test. This test brings you a very accurate HIV testing result.  You do need to wait 28 days since any incident you are concered about. 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 test.

How can you get HIV?

You are at risk of exposure to HIV if you have a transfer of bodily fluids, with someone who is carrying the HIV virus. Most commonly this happens through 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 have sex with someone who does, then you are also at high risk.

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

Early symptoms of HIV are often referred to as flu like in nature.  They are an outward sign that the body is trying to fight off an infection. These symptoms most often appear two to six weeks after initial exposure.  They can last for up to four weeks. They can include: a fever, sore throat, headache, rash, mouth ulcers, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. These symptoms do not necessariliy mean that you have HIV.  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 early.  Our 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 in HIV, who will help you to decide the next steps for you, including designing a treatment plan and advice. 

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 if you would like.