Why must I test?
Knowing your HIV status gives you access to powerful information that helps “turn on the light”. Testing for HIV has the power to slow down and even prevent the spread of HIV infection.
If you test positive, you can access life-saving treatment and can continue to live your life.
Where do I test?
You get to choose what HIV test you want to use. You can access a blood test through your health care provider or you can access a rapid test through your local clinic.
But, you have a third option… you can now access HIV self-screening kit in the privacy of your own home. Buy a self-test through us.
How does the Self Test work?
When you buy your HIV self-screening kit it will be delivered to you. It is an easy 3 step process - Prick, Suck, Poke. The results are ready in 15 minutes. Don’t forget you can order a talk session for extra support. Watch the video for the demonstration.
How to use the Self Test
Doing the test
Prick
Remove the buffer pot from the end of your HIV self-screening kit and place it in the little cup provided.
Remove the lid from the end of the safety lancet.
Place the lancet against your finger (on the upper side of your index finger is the best place, avoid the pad of your finger if possible as this is where all the nerve endings are!)
Push down until you hear a click.
The lancet will make a tiny prick in your skin.
You might need to gently squeeze your finger to produce a small, round drop of blood.
NB - Please note the lancet will only work once, after that it is broken.
Suck
Touch the tip of your test device onto the drop of blood until the tip automatically fills.
It only takes a second. Watch the blood get sucked up.
You now have enough blood to run your test.
Poke
Pierce the foil top of the buffer pot with the tip of the test device and PUSH DOWN HARD. It is important that you push the test down to the bottom of the buffer pot until you can't push it any further.
Start timing 15 minutes. The test needs to remain upright while it runs.
After 3 minutes check to see that your test is running. If it's not, make sure the device is pushed right to the bottom of the buffer pot.
After 15 minutes your test will be completed and you will be able to move on to read your result.
Getting the result
Ready
After 15 minutes your test will be finished and you are now ready to read the results.
Open the last page of your “How To Test Guide”.
Compare your test device to the images of each test result provided in the guide.
Set
If only one line (the control line) is set and visible your test result is negative.
If two lines are set and visible on your test device your test result is positive.
Although your HIV Self Test is very accurate you MUST have this result confirmed by a healthcare professional.
If no lines are set or visible, your test has not been performed correctly.
Go
Don’t panic. HIV is treatable. Knowing your HIV status you can get going and you can access treatment immediately. The earlier you start, the better the result.
If you believe your test result is incorrect or you were exposed to HIV within the past 3 months, it is recommended you test again within the next 6-13 weeks or go and see a healthcare professional.
The Positive Plan
Positive? Don’t panic. Let us help you make a plan. Book a TREAT session with us. Complete your order to purchase your Talk session. Choose either a 15, 30, 45, or 60 minute appointment. We will respond with options for the date and time for your session.
If your test result is positive, you must have your test result confirmed by a healthcare professional.
Go to your local clinic or general practitioner or call the National AIDS hotline on 0800 012 322 which is run by LifeLine, with who we are in partnership.
Negotiating the Negative
A negative result means that this test did not find any signs of HIV infection. Though this test is negative, you still need to do three things to negotiate or find your way to stay negative. To stay negative you need to “Confirm it”, “Notify it” and “Prevent it”.
Confirm it
Most HIV tests can only detect HIV one to three months after exposure. If you have been at risk since your last test, before this one, then you will need to test again to confirm your result.
Notify it
When you test negative for HIV, it doesn’t mean that your partner/s are HIV-negative. One test, one person. HIV tests only apply to the person who took the test. If any of your previous or current partners are worried about HIV, encourage them to take a test.
Prevent it
The best way to protect yourself from HIV is to use a condom, stay faithful to one partner where you know each other’s status, and go for circumcision if you are a male.