HIV

Question 1

What are the types of HIV testing?

Answer 1

blood test – where a sample of blood is taken in a clinic and sent for testing in a laboratory. Results are usually available on the same day or within a few days
point of care test – where a sample of saliva from your mouth or a small spot of blood from your finger is taken in a clinic. This sample does not need to be sent to a laboratory and the result is available within a few minutes
home sampling kit – where you collect a saliva sample or small spot of blood at home and send it off in the post for testing. You’ll be contacted by phone or text with your result in a few days. Visit the free HIV testing website to check if you’re eligible for a free test. If not, you can buy them online or from some pharmacies
home testing kit – where you collect a saliva sample or small spot of blood yourself and test it at home. The result is available within minutes. It’s important to check that any test you buy has a CE quality assurance mark and is licensed for sale in the UK, as HIV self-tests available from overseas can be poor quality

Question 2

What is point of care testing?

Answer 2

where a sample of saliva from your mouth or a small spot of blood from your finger is taken in a clinic. This sample does not need to be sent to a laboratory and the result is available within a few minutes. If positive a venous blood test would be done. Tests antibodies

Question 3

When to think HIV?

Answer 3

Glandular like illness

Cancers/ lymphomas

Question 4

What is PrEP?

Answer 4

Truvada

Question 5

What is PEP?

Answer 5

AZT should be started before 72 hours after exposure to be effective