Better2Know offers you a confidential and anonymous service to test for HIV at our clinics in Cardiff. At our Cardiff Gate Clinic, we offer instant HIV testing which provides you with your results within 20 minutes of your sample being taken. This test is appropriate for detecting HIV if exposure occurred at least 26 days ago.

Confidential HIV Test Cardiff

Our clinics in Cardiff are clean and modern with a friendly, discreet team who can help you to get tested as easily as possible. Your sample will be sent to our accredited laboratory. The laboratory has very fast turnaround times, so you will get your results quickly.

If detected early enough, and treated appropriately, then HIV is no longer the life threatening virus it once was. Someone who is diagnosed early, and treated, 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.

You can book your appointment 24 hours a day seven days a week, either online or by calling our booking team.

Our range of HIV testing options in Cardiff:

  • Rapid HIV Test. Provides an accurate HIV test result, within 20 minutes, while you wait. This test is appropriate for detecting HIV exposures which have occurred at least 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 any HIV infection sooner than an 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 from when the sample is received in the laboratory.

How is HIV transmitted?

HIV can be passed from one person to another through unprotected vaginal or anal penetrative sex with someone who is HIV positive. It is possible to become infected with HIV through oral sex, although the risk is lower. Sharing a needle or syringe with someone who has HIV is a high risk activity.

It is 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 an HIV infection can often occur two to four weeks after exposure. Since symptoms are similar to many common illnesses, they are not a definite sign of HIV. Symptoms can include fever, headaches, a sore throat, rash, mouth ulcers, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.

The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested. In Cardiff, you can test for HIV with our Early Detection Screen at just ten days after exposure.

What if I test positive?

By getting tested, you are taking the first steps to protecting your long term health. We will be here to help you with the next steps, if you test positive. We will refer you to an HIV specialist, who will tailor an apporproate advice and treatment plan for you.

You can also choose to 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 an app where the HIV positive community can share their experiences and feelings.