PrEP test kits

Before you can start taking PrEP, you need to make sure you:

• are HIV negative (and have taken a test recently that shows you are HIV negative)
• have normal kidney function
• are hepatitis B and C negative

We offer a comprehensive PrEP test kit which checks all of these, and a basic PrEP test kit which checks HIV status and kidney function only.

When your test kit arrives, take a simple blood sample at home then send this to our partner laboratory for analysis. Your kit will come with full instructions to complete your test correctly. See more details about collecting your blood sample, below.

Once you begin using PrEP, you must continue to take these tests to check that PrEP is still suitable for you. You can order any continuation test kits or standalone test kits you need from us.

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.

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

If you’ve recently received a hepatitis B vaccination, you should wait 8 weeks before taking any hepatitis B test such as our comprehensive introduction or annual continuation PrEP tests. Taking these sooner may lead to a false positive result.

We cannot prescribe PrEP if you test positive for HIV.

All positive results must be followed up by another test using different technology.

Our doctors are on hand to support you if your HIV test result comes back positive. One of our doctors will discuss your situation with you in detail. This includes helping you find specialist care in your local area and putting you in touch with local support groups.

Why is it important to be HIV negative before and during PrEP therapy?

It may be unsafe to take PrEP if you’re HIV positive. PrEP contains 2 different antiviral drugs which are often used to treat people with HIV (alongside other medications). You can become resistant to these drugs if you use them when you’re already HIV positive. This can make it more challenging to treat the infection later on. PreP medication is not a treatment for HIV and is for pre-exposure prohylaxis only.

We cannot prescribe PrEP if you test positive for hepatitis B or C. You will need to make an appointment with your GP. They may refer you to a liver specialist.

If your results show that you have abnormal kidney function, we will ask you to do another test to see if it normalises. While we can do this repeat test for you, we recommend that you visit your GP for this test. They may want to do further testing or examine you in person.

If any of your results require further testing, you will not be able to take PrEP until your results confirm you can do so.

When you get your test kit, it will contain all the information you need to collect your blood sample correctly.

If you have any problems while taking your test or you make a mistake, we can send you a new test free of charge.

Your test kit will contain:

• 3 lancets to prick the skin to collect your blood sample
• swabs
• a collection tube
• a plaster
• a wallet
• a prepaid envelope to send your sample to our partner lab

You can collect your sample at any time of day. Have some clean tissues nearby before you do this.

Steps to collect your sample

1. Clean your hands with warm water and soap. It’s easier to collect your sample if your hands are warm. Dry your hands thoroughly.
2. Take one of the swabs and wipe the fingertip you’d like to collect your sample from. We recommend that you avoid using a finger you write with. Wait until your fingertip is completely dry.
3. Twist the cap and remove the purple stick from one of the lancets. Place this on the middle of your fingertip. Press the purple button to prick your finger.
4. You should see a drop of blood start to form on your fingertip. If this doesn’t happen, try this again on a different finger using one of the extra lancets.
5. Take a tissue and use it to wipe the first drop of blood away. Then place the collection tube upright in the groove of the plastic container on a flat surface. This will make it easier to collect your sample as you may need both hands to do this.
6. Point your finger down over the collection tube. Squeeze each side of your fingertip so that drops of blood fall into the collection tube. Do this until the tube is filled to the top line. If there’s not enough blood to fill the tube, use one of the extra lancets on a different finger and repeat the first steps.
7. When you’ve finished, cover your fingertip with the plaster.
8. Place the lid back on the collection tube. Make sure it’s screwed on tightly.
9. Write your details on the sticky label and stick this to the collection tube.
10. Place the tube into the wallet, then place this into the prepaid envelope.
11. Post the sample to our partner lab.

You’ll get your results with advice from our doctors within 2 to 3 days of your sample arriving at our partner lab. You’ll get an email to tell you when this is ready to view in your secure account.

Your results will tell you whether you can start taking PrEP. If you can, you can order PrEP straight away.

If you cannot take PrEP, this means you’ve tested positive for either HIV, reduced kidney function, or hepatitis B or C. Our doctors will explain your results to you and give advice about what you should do next. All positive HIV results must be followed by a 2nd confirmation test. Our doctors will provide any further advice needed in the message sent confidentially in your account with your result.