This year, National HIV Testing Week runs from Monday 9th to Sunday 15th February.
Every year, the campaign encourages people to get tested regularly for HIV, aiming to reduce the number of people living with undiagnosed HIV and those diagnosed late.
Currently, an estimated 4,700 people are living with undiagnosed HIV in England.
Quick facts about HIV
- People can live with HIV for a long time without any symptoms, testing is the only way to know your HIV status.
- Testing for HIV is quick and free, confidential and easy.
- If you have HIV, finding out means you can start treatment, stay healthy and avoid passing the virus onto anyone else.
- There are many ways to test, via a sexual health clinic, your GP, through HIV and sexual health charities or by ordering a test online.
- Anyone diagnosed with HIV in the UK can access free treatment and support.
Why is it important to test for HIV?
It’s a good idea to test at least once a year, because testing is the only way to know if you have HIV. If you wait to test, the virus could do a lot of damage.
Testing is quick, free, and confidential. It’s also an easy way to take responsibility for your health. If you have HIV, finding out means you can start treatment, stay healthy and avoid passing the virus onto anyone else. The sooner you start treatment, the less likely you are to become seriously ill. People who are diagnosed early and get on treatment can expect to live a normal lifespan.
How can I test for HIV?
STI testing kits (includes HIV): It’s never been easier to get an HIV test and to get a result quickly. Our sexual health services provide free self-testing kits for people aged 16+, which can test for HIV, as well as other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They’re easy to order online, visit our Order an STI Testing Kit page to find a link for a free testing kit.
HIV testing kit: During HIV Testing Week, you can also order a testing kit for HIV at www.freetesting.hiv; where you have the option of a rapid test too, which gives results in minutes.
Clinics: If you’re under 16, if you have symptoms or you’re worried about your sexual health, visit one our sexual health clinics for a test. We have Diverse Communities Clinics too, read more about our Diverse Communities service.
Drop-ins at Trade: If you’re LGBTQ+ or new to the UK (arrived in the last 2 years), you can get a free finger prick test for HIV with results in 20 minutes at Trade’s office on Bowling Green Street in the city centre. Their team will also be at some local education venues, offering testing to students. They will update their website www.wearetradehealth.co.uk with drop-in dates and information, or you can keep up-to-date by following their social media channels: @wearetradehealth on Instagram, Trade Sexual Health on Facebook and @wearetradehealth on Bluesky.
When should I test?
Signs of HIV infection don’t show up in the blood right away. It normally happens within six weeks of infection, but can be longer. If you think you might have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours (three days), it’s possible to take post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to help stop an infection from happening.
If your risk was recent, you might be advised to take a test immediately, followed by a second one a few weeks later. A self test is not guaranteed to pick up an infection that’s occurred in the previous three months. If you think you’ve been exposed in the last three months, you should get a test at your local sexual health clinic.
What if my test is positive?
If your test comes back positive, our team will invite you in for a discussion about your results and the next steps, before referring you into Leicester’s HIV Treatment and Care service at Leicester Royal Infirmary. The friendly team there will provide you with free and confidential HIV treatment and care, to help you live a fulfilling and healthy life whilst effectively managing your condition. It’s generally preferred that everyone diagnosed with HIV starts treatment straight away after being diagnosed, however the team will carefully consider your lifestyle, preferences and concerns. They will advise you accordingly regarding treatment options and when to start treatment based on a mutually agreed plan between yourself and the team.
It’s important to know that HIV is a manageable condition and someone with HIV on active treatment can live a long and healthy life. In fact, treatment is so good now, that someone who is taking HIV treatment reliably can have such low levels of the virus in their body that they can’t pass it on.
There is a lot of information and support available for people who test positive. Find out more on the Terrence Higgins Trust website.
How can I protect myself against HIV?
Condoms – Condoms can protect against STIs, including HIV. Get free condoms with a C-Card.
PrEP – PrEP is given to HIV-negative people before and after sex, and reduces the risk of getting HIV. It is available free from NHS sexual health clinics, call us on 0300 124 0102 if you think you would benefit from taking PrEP,. Read more about PrEP here.
More information
You can find more information on HIV Testing Week on www.startswithme.org.uk and can download resources to support the campaign at www.hperesources.org.uk.
