Confidential HIV Test Swansea

Our Better2Know clinic in Swansea offers a private, confidential and anonymous HIV testing service. Our facilities are modern and clean and are Care Quality Commission approved. We have a friendly, discreet team who will help you to get your tests done with a minimum of fuss.

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

Our range of HIV tests in Swansea is:

  • 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 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 detects HIV infection earlier 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 Swansea as our Early Detection Screen with Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

What are the Symptoms of HIV?

The early symptoms of HIV can start to occur between two to four weeks after exposure.  They can last up to four weeks. Research carried out by the National Aids Trust suggest that 70% to 90% of people who are newly infected by HIV develop these symptoms.

They may include:

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

These symptoms are all a sign that the body is trying to fight off an infection.  They are common to many illnesses, and are not a definite sign that you may have HIV. The only way you can know if you have HIV is to get tested.

The sooner after exposure you get tested, then the greater the chance that the appropriate treatment will be effective. This means that anyone who tests positive early in the course of the illness, and is treated appropriately, can expect to live a normal length of life.

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 have sex with someone who does, then you are also at high risk of infection.

You can also become infected with HIV through blood transfusions.  These days all blood in the UK is screened, so this has become much rarer. 

What if I test positive?

If you do test positive then do not worry, we are here to help you. Your Better2Know Doctor will refer you to a specialist HIV Clinic, which will help you with the advice and treatment you need.

You can also get advice and support through our partner, the Terrence Higgins Trust, who have been providing advice to the newly diagnosed for over 30 years.