Syphilis, HIV, and Hepatitis B and C Test Kit

You will need to provide a blood sample to get tested. The home test for syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B / C involves taking a small blood sample, using a fine needle to prick your finger (included in your test kit). The laboratory will use your sample to analyse it for evidence of any of these infections.

It's important that you get tested at the right time. Some infections can only be diagnosed several weeks after exposure. If you get tested too early, you run the risk of getting a false negative, ie. a negative test result even though you have contracted the disease.

If you think there is a high risk that you have been exposed to any of these infections (e.g. through sexual contact, blood, or sharing needles with someone who may be infected), it is essential that you see a nurse or doctor immediately. Please contact your GP, Sexual Health Clinic, or A and E department.

Please note: it can take up to 3 months for some of these infections to be detected in a sexual health screen. If you do the test before 3 months have passed since the incident, you should confirm any negative results at a later date by repeating the test.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease. It usually causes painless sores during the early stages of infection, followed by a period of no symptoms at all. If syphilis is left untreated it can affect fertility and as the disease progresses it can lead to brain damage and dementia.

Syphilis can effectively be treated with antibiotics. If you have had unprotected sex and are worried that you may have contracted syphilis you should get tested to ensure that the infection is not left untreated.

Syphilis is transmitted during sex but it can also be transmitted when sharing needles or sex toys.

HIV is a viral infection which often goes unnoticed during the early stages. With patients being unaware that they carry HIV, it is easily passed on to sexual partners. While you may not experience any symptoms of HIV for several years, early treatment is vital.

Hepatitis B is transmitted when the blood or body fluid of an infected person enters your bloodstream, for example during sex or when sharing needles. During the early stages, the infection often remains symptomless, which makes it difficult to spot. If hepatitis B is not diagnosed it can become chronic and eventually lead to liver damage.

There is a very effective vaccine for hepatitis B, which is routinely given to healthcare professionals who have a high risk of being in contact with blood. It is also recommended for travellers going to a country where hepatitis B is very common, especially if they will be in close contact with the local population.

In countries where awareness of hygiene is very low, there is also a risk of contracting hepatitis B during medical procedures, especially if needles and other equipment are not sterilised properly.

Like hepatitis B, hepatitis C is caused by a virus. It can be contracted when sharing needles and commonly affects drug users. Men who have sex with men are also believed to have an increased risk of contracting hepatitis C.

The infection often doesn’t cause any obvious symptoms until it has caused liver damage. Some patients fight the virus off within the first six months without sustaining any permanent damage. More commonly, however, the infection becomes chronic.

In certain regions of the world, hepatitis C is more common than in the UK. This goes for North Africa, the Middle East, Central and East Asia.

If your test kit comes back positive for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C our doctors are here to help you and give you advice on what to do next. All positive results must be followed up by another type of test to confirm results.

If you do test positive we’ll discuss all possible consequences with you in detail. We’ll also help you to find specialist care in your local area and put you in touch with local support groups.

• Syphilis: 3-6 weeks, retest at 3 months
• HIV: 45 days, retest at 3 months
• Hepatitis B: 3 months
• Hepatitis C: 3 months