Confidential HIV Test Oxford

Our Better2Know clinic in Oxford provides a confidential, anonymous HIV testing service. Our clinic has friendly and discreet staff .  They will carry out your test efficiently, allowing you time to ask any questions you might have.  Then your samples will be sent to our accredited laboratory.  We will get you your results quickaly and accurately.

Our Oxford clinic also offers a Rapid HIV test which will provide you with accurate test results  in just 20 minutes. This test is appropriate for detecting HIV if exposure occurred at least 26 days ago.

If HIV is detected, and appropriately treated, early enough, then there is much less reason to fear the virus than there has been in the past. An HIV positive person following the appropriate treatment can now expect to have a normal length of life.

The longer HIV is left untreated, the greater the chance that the immune system will be permanently damaged and the greater the chance of any treatment being less effective, both in terms on length and quality of life.

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

Our range of HIV testing options in Oxford

Rapid HIV Test. Provides an accurate HIV test result in 20 minutes while you wait. This test is appropriate for detecting HIV for potential exposire 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 combined test detects any HIV infection sooner than a traditional antibody 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. This HIV test is available in Oxford along with Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C as our Early Detection Screen.

How can you get HIV?

HIV is transmitted is by unprotected vaginal or anal penetrative sex with someone who is HIV positive.  This is a high risk activity. It is also possible but less common to transmit the virus through oral sex. 

The virus can also be passed through the use of needles and syringes that have been used by a HIV positive person.   Sharing drug injection equipment, or having sex with someone who does, carries a high risk of infection.

Blood transfusions can transmit HIV. Most Western countries nowadays routinely screen all blood products to prevent this from happening.

Symptoms of HIV

The symptoms of HIV are similar to many common illnesses and are often described as flu-like, they can include:

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

As these symptoms are found in so many common illnesses.   The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested. The sooner you can get tested, then the higher the chance of the appropriate treatment proving effective.

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 will discuss with you what you would like to do next.

Better2Know is supported by the Terrence Higgins Trust, who have been providing advice to the newly diagnosed for over 30 years.  We can help you to be speak to an advisor at the Trust if you would like.