Comprehensive introduction PrEP test kit

This test kit is for people who have never taken PrEP before and would like to start taking PrEP. It will tell you your HIV status, kidney function (creatinine and estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate; eGFR) and hepatitis B and C status.

If your results from this test show that you are suitable to take PrEP, we will be able to prescribe PrEP, and you will be able to start taking it. If your results show that you can’t take PrEP, a doctor will explain to you exactly why you can’t and will let you know what to do next.

A PrEP test might not detect HIV if you have caught the infection within the last 6 weeks. If you’re concerned that you’ve caught HIV recently, we recommend waiting 6 weeks before taking your PrEP test. For example, if you’ve had unprotected sex with someone whose HIV status you do not know in the 6 weeks before starting PrEP you should take an HIV test 6 weeks after starting PrEP (and again 3 months after starting).

If you think you may have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, you should visit your local sexual health clinic straight away. This is because you may need to start taking PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis).

You should wait 8 weeks after a hepatitis B vaccination before taking this test. You may get a false positive result if you take this test sooner.

Your results will tell you whether you can start taking PrEP. If this is the case, you can place an order for PrEP straight away.

If your results are abnormal in any way, our doctors will let you know what's wrong and whether you can take prep or not.

This will be clearly explained in your results, and you’ll be given information on precisely what to do next.

You should only take this test if you haven’t taken PrEP before and don’t know your hepatitis B and C status. If you’ve been vaccinated for hepatitis, aren’t in a hepatitis risk group or have recently taken a test elsewhere, you can order the basic PrEP test instead.

If you are already taking PrEP and want to check your status on PrEP, you should take the 3-monthly PrEP continuation test kit. You should also take the annual PrEP continuation test once a year.

If your HIV test kit comes back positive our doctors will be on hand to help. All positive results must be followed up by another test using different technology.

If you do test positive for HIV one of our doctors will 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.