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  • at-risk-of-hiv-during-covid-19
  1. Coronavirus
  2. Been at risk of HIV?

At risk of HIV during COVID-19?

Been at risk of HIV? – What you need to know to access a HIV test

Coronavirus is changing life for all of us. It is also putting the NHS is under a lot of strain.

COVID-19 is a new illness that affects your lungs and airways. We need to protect ourselves, and others. We need to quickly stop it from spreading further.

Over the coming months, the NHS will continue to try to provide high quality care for everyone. This includes testing people who have been at risk of HIV.

Many clinics will be offering reduced service, to reduce the risk of COVID-19 for patients and staff. Screening is being reduced to let laboratories focus on tests from people who are very sick.

Community testing services, such as those provided by Waverley Care & THT Scotland have closed to protect staff and service users from COVID-19.

If you have been at risk of HIV, and you need to access a test, this information will be useful for you.

Doctors and community activists produced this information. It included sexual health doctors, HIV Scotland, i-Base and PrEPster. This will help you make informed choices that are right for you. 

If you have any questions about HIV testing during the coronavirus outbreak, please call the HIV Scotland helpline on 0131 558 3713.

This information has been pulled together at pace, and things are changing rapidly. If you want to discuss the content, or think something should be added - email us at [email protected] 

Have I been at risk of HIV?

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You might have been at risk of HIV if you have:

  • Had condomless sex with a partner where you didn’t know their HIV status;
  • Had sex with someone with HIV who has a detectable viral load
  • Shared injecting equipment with someone.

You will not have been at risk of HIV if you have:

  • Had sex with a condom;
  • Had condomless sex with someone who is living with HIV and has an undetectable viral load;
  • Had sex whilst using PrEP correctly.

Published: 23rd March, 2020

Author: Nathan Sparling

Related topics:
  • At risk of HIV during COVID-19?
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I’ve been at risk of HIV – what can I do?

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If you’ve been at risk in the last 72 hours, you might be able to prevent HIV infection by taking PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis). This is a course of medication designed to prevent you becoming HIV-positive.  You need to start PEP ideally within 24 hours of the risk, and no later than 72 hours. The longer you wait, the less chance there is of PEP working.

You can get PEP from a sexual health clinic or hospital A&E department. A doctor will advise you if PEP is suitable for you based on the level of risk. For more information about PEP, click here.

If you were at risk of HIV more than 72 hours ago, PEP is not suitable but you do need to get tested. You should wait for 4 weeks before going to get a test, as this will make sure the test is accurate. This is because there is a window period between exposure to HIV and when it will show up on a test.

Published: 23rd March, 2020

Author: Nathan Sparling

Related topics:
  • At risk of HIV during COVID-19?
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Where can I get a HIV test?

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Whilst sexual health clinics are reducing their overall service, if you need a HIV test you will be able to access one.

You may have to wait a bit longer than you normally would, or you might be advised to access an at-home testing service if you are able. See below for more information about at-home testing.

You should call your nearest clinics before visiting to double check their opening hours and clinic times.

Use SX’s Service Finder to find your nearest sexual health service. Click here to head over to their page.

Published: 23rd March, 2020

Author: Nathan Sparling

Related topics:
  • At risk of HIV during COVID-19?
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Can I get a HIV test sent to my house?

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There is currently no free, at home testing service in Scotland.

If you can pay, you can take advantage of a couple of testing options from the comfort of your own home.

Check your eligibility and take advantages of a discounted self-test kit from THT, online here.

There are two approved manufacturers of self-test kits in the UK, and you can buy direct from their websites. Check them both out before you make a decision on which one to buy. 

  • Insti HIV Self-Test - £19.95
  • BioSure HIV Self-Test - £29.95

If you need a HIV test, can’t access a clinic and can’t pay for a test – phone HIV Scotland’s helpline for help – 0131 558 3713.

If you get a HIV Self-Test and you have a reactive result, you should phone your nearest clinic to arrange a follow-up appointment. Make sure you let them know that you have done a home-test and that you’ve had a reactive result. Use SX’s Service Finder to find your nearest sexual health service. Click here to head over to their page.

Published: 23rd March, 2020

Author: Nathan Sparling

Related topics:
  • At risk of HIV during COVID-19?
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