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Why we recommend an HIV screening test for you
We recommend a screening test for HIV for everyone who has a blood test in the Emergency Department (A&E).
It is good to know your HIV status for the following reasons:
- If you test positive you have a better chance of a long and healthy life if you find out earlier.
- HIV treatment is safe and effective.
- People with HIV who are taking treatment cannot pass on the infection to others.
How we test for HIV
If you have a blood test while you are attending Kingston Hospital, this blood sample can be tested for HIV in our laboratory. You do not have to give us an extra blood sample for HIV testing.
If you do not want to be tested for HIV
We test everyone’s blood routinely, unless they tell us they want to opt out of HIV testing.
You might prefer not to have an HIV test today for the following reasons:
- You already know you are HIV positive.
- You have recently been tested somewhere else.
- You do not want to know your HIV status today.
If you do not want to be tested, tell the person who takes your blood sample.
About test results
Use the drop-down menus for information about test results.
Your test can come back negative or reactive. The result usually comes back within 24 hours.
This screening test is different from other HIV tests which usually give a clear positive or negative result but take longer to be processed.
If your test is reactive, it does not automatically mean that you have HIV. Sometimes the screening test can show a reactive result in someone who does not have HIV.
We will recommend that you send another blood sample to the laboratory for further testing. A nurse or doctor from the Kingston Hospital Wolverton Sexual Health Service will contact you to arrange the second test. This can take a few days.
This second test will tell you whether you are HIV positive or not.
If your test shows you are HIV positive the HIV specialist nurse will contact you and arrange an urgent appointment. This usually takes 1 to 7 days.
Kingston Hospital HIV specialists can offer any advice, counselling or support that you might need.
If your test is negative, it means you do not have HIV unless you were infected less than 6 weeks ago.
If you think you might have been infected with HIV in the past 6 weeks, discuss this with the doctor or nurse.
Are my HIV screening results confidential?
We always keep your medical history and test results confidential. This includes your HIV screening test result.
You can decide whether you tell your GP about your HIV screening test result.
Talk to your doctor or nurse if you have any questions about confidentiality.
I am not having blood taken today. How can I get tested for HIV?
If you want to have an HIV test, but are not having blood tests in the Emergency (A&E) Department, you can contact the Kingston Hospital Wolverton Sexual Health Service (see More information or Contacts sections below).
More information
Kingston Hospital Wolverton Sexual Health Service offers confidential sexual health, contraception and HIV advice.
Contact information
Kingston Hospital Wolverton Sexual Health Service, Monday, Thursday, Friday 8.15am to 3.30pm, Tuesday,Wednesday 8.15am to 5pm
Telephone: