Testing options

Your options

Genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinics

The best places to have an HIV test is a GUM (sexual health) clinic.

You can use any GUM clinic. Some have special times when HIV tests are done. The advantage is that results are ready sooner - sometimes on the same day or the day after. But if you don't want to go to a special HIV testing session, you can be tested during normal clinic times. A clinic can tell you over the phone how they organise HIV testing and how soon you'd have your result.

Clinics offer the most confidential way of being tested. Your GP will not be told your test result.

Terrence Higgins Trust Fastest service

HIV testing, with results in one hour, is carried out at various Terrence Higgins Trust centres around the country.

For details of Fastest services, other places that test for HIV or any information or advice on HIV call THT Direct on 0845 12 21 200 or visit www.tht.org.uk/fastest

Other one hour services

More places where you can get a one hour service can be found at www.youchoose.org.uk under 'testing centres'.

GPs (family doctors)

The advantages of asking your GP to do an HIV test are:

• you might have a very good relationship with your GP
• they may be able to give you the help and support you need.

The drawbacks are:

• your doctor may not have much experience about HIV or about the issues involved in testing
• they may not give you advice and counselling before and after the test
• a GP might put on your medical records that you asked about a test, as well as any test result. This can cause problems if you apply for insurance or a mortgage.

Private clinics

You will see private clinics advertising HIV testing in the press. You must pay to be tested at these clinics, and counselling and follow-up care often aren't provided.

HIV tests and money matters

Insurance companies ask doctors about their patients (including about HIV tests). Before your doctor gives your details to an insurance company, the doctor should ask for your permission. But if you say no, your application will be turned down. You can ask your doctor not to put in your notes anything to do with HIV or being gay, and many will agree to this.

Insurance companies will also ask you questions about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. Not telling the truth will make your insurance invalid.

For advice on HIV tests and financial questions call THT Direct on 0845 12 21 200.

Thinking of having an HIV test?

Having an HIV test can have a huge impact on your life, whatever your result. So think about these things:

• is there a good reason to test?
• have you really put yourself at risk of getting HIV?
• are you feeling pressure to test from other people? A partner? Family or friends? Medical staff? Things you've read in the press or on seen on TV?

Only have an HIV test if you decide you want one and have thought about how you'd cope with your result.

The test ...and after

Some clinics have a same-day results service, but test results usually take one or two days. They can take a week and in rural areas up to two weeks.

You should get your result face-to-face, not over the phone or by letter.

You should be offered the chance to talk things over before you take the test and after you get your result. Health advisers usually give test results. Whether yours is positive or negative, you can talk to them about your feelings and what you might want to do next.

To answer your questions about HIV testing call:

• THT Direct (0845 12 21 200)
• gay switchboards
• your local gay men's health project.

Or talk to a health adviser or counsellor at a GUM clinic.

Talking to someone about testing doesn't mean you have to go ahead and have the test.