Confidential HIV Test St Helens

Our St Helens clinic provides a discreet, confidential and anonymous environment for your HIV test.  Our staff are friendly and non-judgmental, and will make your appointment as easy as possible.

HIV positive peopel can live untested, and therfore untreated for HIV, with no noticeable signs or symptoms for a number of years.  The only way to be certain of your status is to have an HIV Test.

If you think you might be at risk, then you should get tested as soon as possible. The earlier HIV is detected, the more likely that your treatment will be effective, and you can lead a normal length of life.

You can get tested for HIV at our sexual health clinic in St Helens, with Better2Know, as soon as ten days after any exposure.

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

There is a choice of two HIV tests at our St Helens clinic:

  • 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 will detect an HIV infectionup to two months 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.  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 in St. Helens with Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

How is HIV Transmitted?

There is a risk of exposure to the HIV virus whenever an exchange of bodily fluids takes place with someone who is HIV positive, whether or not they know their status. The most common form of transmission is through unprotected oral, vaginal or anal penetrative sex with someone who is already infected with HIV.  Sharing needles/ syringes with an HIV infected person is also a high risk activity.

It is also possible to be infected with HIV through blood transfusions.  This is quite rare in western countries as blood products are now routinely screened.

The symptoms of a HIV infection can include:

  • High fever
  • Sore throat
  • Headache
  • Rash
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Diarrhoea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain

These symptoms are a sign that the body is trying to fight off an infection and are common in many illnesses such as colds or flu. As such the only way to tell if you have HIV is to get tested.

What happens if I test positive?

If you test positive, do not worry, we are here to help you. Your Better2Know doctor will refer you to a specialist.  We can also help you to speak to an advisor at the Terrence Higgins Trust.  They can be there to provide any support and advice you need. They are experts with over 30 years’ experience of providing advice and have over 30 centres nationwide.