Sexual health or GUM clinics

For most people in the UK, the best place to be tested for HIV is at a sexual health clinic (often called a genitourinary medicine, or GUM, clinic). The result will be confidential and trained and experienced staff will be available there to help you. If you have had unprotected sex, you can also be tested for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at the same time.

Not only that, but if you test positive, you will have the advantage of immediate monitoring, care and follow-up by doctors who are experienced in treating people with HIV.

For details of your nearest clinic, use NAM's online UK sexual health clinic search.

You don't have to be referred to a sexual health clinic by your doctor, and you don't have to go to the one nearest your home. You can go wherever you want.

When you go to a sexual health clinic for an HIV test, you will usually be asked to register if you haven't already done so – the clinic will take your name and address. This information is confidential, but even so, you needn’t give your real name and address. Just make sure you remember the false name you give, so that you answer when it is called.

The doctor will want to ask you questions about your sexual activities. This is also entirely confidential. The doctor should suggest that you have a check-up for other sexually transmitted infections – if you have had unprotected sex you may have picked up one of the very common sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and these are easily treatable in most cases.

Community testing

Some charities and NHS organisations provide special clinics in venues like community centres, youth clubs, social venues or the premises of a charity. Test results will normally be available within an hour.

These clinics are usually provided for specific groups of people (for example, young people, gay men or African people) and take place for a few hours each week.

GPs

An HIV test may also be available through your GP. Although many GPs will refer you to a GUM clinic, some people prefer to be tested at their normal doctor’s surgery than to attend a GUM clinic.

Remember, however, if you discuss or have an HIV test at your GP’s surgery, it is likely to be noted on your medical record.

Drugs agencies

Drug users may be able to have an HIV test through a local drugs agency. This may be a good idea, especially if the agency has a regular clinical session for people with HIV – this means you will have access to doctors and nurses experienced in treating drug users with HIV.

Antenatal clinics

The test is routinely offered to all pregnant women in the UK through antenatal clinics. HIV can be passed on from a mother to her baby, but with treatment the risk of this happening is very low. This is why it is important for a pregnant woman, and the doctors looking after her, to know for sure whether she has HIV or not.

Home testing

Home testing means that you buy a kit, take a sample, and interpret the results yourself. It is illegal to sell a home-testing kit in the UK. Nonetheless, some unregulated and unreliable kits can be bought over the internet.

Home sampling is slightly different. You purchase a kit, take a sample and send it off to a laboratory to be analysed. This service is legally available from a company called Dr Thom.

Non-residents or visitors to the UK

Even if you are not a British resident, you can still have an HIV test as long as you can provide an address in the UK. You will not be charged for it.

Getting tested outside the UK

The information above relates to the UK. For details of HIV services all over the world, including testing services, please use NAM's online directory of HIV & AIDS Services Worldwide.