In Liverpool, the rate of late HIV diagnosis is high at 54%. The earlier you are tested for HIV, the earlier you can begin treatment and protect your long-term health. With Better2Know, you can test as early as ten days after an incident of concern.

Confidential HIV Test Liverpool

Better2Know offers a discreet, confidential, and anonymous HIV testing service at our Liverpool sexual health clinics. Appointments are available six days a week. We are located in the city centre and surrounding areas.

Our Liverpool clinics offer three different HIV tests:

  • Rapid HIV Test. This test is available in the city centre.  It 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 test detects an HIV infection sooner than a traditional antibody only 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. The HIV RNA test is available in Liverpool along with Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in our Early Detection Screen.

How is HIV transmitted?

HIV is transmitted during unprotected sexual intercourse. Both vaginal and anal with a partner who is HIV positive can transmit the virus. It is also possible for the virus to be transmitted through oral sex, but this is less common. Sharing needles, syringes or other drug injecting equipment with someone who has HIV also carries a high risk of infection.

Less commonly, HIV can also be transmitted via blood transfusions. However, most western countries now routinely screen all blood products to prevent this from happening.

Symptoms of HIV

The early symptoms of HIV are similar to those you see in many common illnesses, and are often described as flu like in nature.

Symptoms can include:

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

As these are symptoms that most people experience during their lifetime, the only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested. The earlier you know your HIV status, the greater the chance of HIV being treated effectively.

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 can help you in the way that is best for you and your circumstances.

Better2Know is supported by the Terrence Higgins Trust, who have been providing advice to the newly diagnosed for over 30 years.