Confidential HIV Test Brentwood

Better2Know offer an anonymous, confidential HIV testing service at our private clinics in Brentwood. We have clinics in Shenfield and Great Warley. You will find clean and modern environment.  With friendly, discreet teams who can help you to get tested. The HIV test involves taking a small sample of blood which is then sent to our Laboratory with a very fast turnaround time and accurate results.  

If detected early enough, and treated appropriately, then HIV is no longer the life threatening virus it once was. Someone who is diagnosed and treated early, can expect to still live a normal length life. The longer HIV is left untreated, the greater the risk of long-term damage to the immune system, and the lower the chance of treatment being as effective.

At our Better2Know clinics we offer a range of HIV tests, including an Early Detection Screen, which can test you for HIV from ten days after potential exposure.

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

At our Brentwood clinics we have the following HIV tests:

  • 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 in order to detect HIV infection sooner than a traditional antibody test.
  • HIV 10 Day PCR DNA 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 lab. The HIV DNA test is available in Brentwood with Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

How can you get HIV?

There is a risk of exposure to HIV every time bodily fluids are exchanged with someone who is HIV positive. The most common form of transmission involves unprotected oral, vaginal or anal penetrative sex with someone who has HIV.

Sharing a needle or syringe with someone who already has HIV, will also put you at high risk. It is also possible for HIV to be transmitted through blood transfusions.  Most Western countries now routinely screen blood products, and this form of transmission is rare.

What are the Symptoms?

Early Symptoms of HIV are an outward sign of the body trying to fight off an infection.  They often occur between two to six weeks after exposure. These symptoms can last for up to four weeks.  According to Research by the National Aids Trust, 70% to 90% of newly infected people show some of these symptoms.

They can include:

  • Fever
  • Sore throat
  • Headache
  • Rash
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Diarrhoea
  • Vomiting
  • Muscle pain
  • Tiredness
  • Abdominal pain

The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested.  Many of these early symptoms are common ailments of other conditions.

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 who can help you with the appropriate next steps.

You can also get advice and support from the Terrence Higgins Trust who have been providing advice to the newly diagnosed for over 30 years. They have a dedicated website www.myhiv.org.uk  and app where the HIV positive community can share their experiences and feelings.