Take the test

Free Rapid HIV testing is being offered by Trade Sexual Health as a drop-in service on Mondays between 12pm – 5:00pm, appointments are available on alternative days by contacting us.

This service is available for:

• LGBT+ communities living or working in Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland.

• New arrivals living in Leicester City (those who have migrated to the UK and have been living here for less than 5 years)

The test is performed at the Trade office, with our friendly certified testers performing the test on site. The whole process should take no more than half an hour to complete.

The test is free and confidential. The HIV test uses a 'finger prick' blood sample, with results given within 20 minutes, and is 99% accurate at detecting any HIV exposure that may have occurred more than 12 weeks ago. However, can potentially pick up HIV infection from as little as 4 weeks ago.

Weekly drop-in clinic in Leicester

Clinic day: Monday
Clinic times: 12pm - 5pm (last appointment at 4:30pm)
Location: Trade Sexual Health, 2nd Floor, 27 Bowling Green Street, Leicester, LE1 6AS

Need an alternative day?

Call 0116 254 1747

Frequently asked questions about the Kwik Prick Rapid HIV test

What is an HIV test?

You can find out if you become infected with HIV by having a blood test done. Your body produces antibodies to HIV in an attempt to fight the virus; the test works by looking for these antibodies as well as for HIV antigens (the virus itself).

When should I have an HIV test?

It normally takes 12 weeks (3 months) for HIV antibodies to show up in the blood. However HIV antigens (the HIV virus) may be present and detectable in your blood from as little as 4 weeks after infection.

How quickly HIV antigens or antibodies can be detected in your blood varies from person to person, and therefore HIV may not be detected, even though the infection is there, before 12 weeks from when you might have been exposed to HIV.

This is called the window period.

If you are tested during this window period and have a negative result you should also be tested after the 12 weeks have passed to be totally sure of your result.

If you are worried about an incident in the past few days or weeks where you feel you may have been exposed to HIV, you should speak to the Kwik Prick tester present at the testing site who can refer you to the local sexual health services which can carry out tests to identify HIV at this early stage.

What is PEP?

If you are worried about an incident of HIV exposure within the last 72 hours - speak to the Kwik Prick tester, who may refer you to the sexual health services for enquiries about PEP treatment, which can stop HIV entering the bloodstream after exposure. For more info about PEP click here.

How will I be tested for HIV?

It is a test which involves taking a drop of blood from your finger with a result available within 20 minutes.

What do the results mean?

Reactive Result
This test is a SCREENING TEST: it is possible that if the result is reactive you may still not be infected with HIV. If the test is reactive we will arrange for you to be seen in at the Jarvis HIV clinic, where a blood sample will be taken and sent to the laboratory for HIV testing. You will be asked to return for an appointment at the Jarvis clinic a few days later to get the result.

Negative Result
If your rapid HIV test is negative, and you have not been at risk of HIV infection in the previous 12 weeks, then it is unlikely you are infected with HIV.

However, as everybody reacts differently to HIV infection, if you have been very recently infected, your antibody or antigen levels may be low but the test may still be negative.

If you have recently been at risk of HIV infection you should re-test once the window period is over (approximately 12 weeks since possible infection).

A negative result does not mean you can’t be infected in the future.

Things to think about before having an HIV test?

Only you can decide if having an HIV test is right for you. You should not be pressurised into having a test by other people. Below are some reasons to have, and not have, an HIV test; everyone is different and you may have your own reasons.

Reasons you may not test:

• A positive result can mean a lot of stress and impact on your day to day life.
• People may treat you differently if they know you are HIV positive.
• You may be restricted on travelling and working abroad.
• A positive result can make it more difficult to get a mortgage and life insurance.
• If you have a negative result following risky behaviour which could have led to becoming HIV positive, you may see no reason to change your behaviour to lower the risk.
• You may not be in a place to deal with a positive result emotionally.

Reasons to test:

• You will know your HIV status. You won't be worried about what you think your HIV status is.
• A negative result may give you peace of mind.
• A positive result will enable you to access medication, monitoring and specialist support, which can greatly improve your long-term health.
• If you are HIV positive the sooner you are diagnosed the more likely you are to get the maximum benefit from HIV treatment.
• You will be able to make decisions about your future.
• To help you plan the type of sex you want with your partner(s). By always having protected sex you will be very unlikely to pass HIV on to someone else.

What do I need to think about after having a negative test result?

• Getting a negative result doesn't mean you are immune to HIV. You might want to think about times you have been uncomfortable with the risks you have taken and how you might deal with these in the future.
• Remember it can take up to 12 weeks for antibodies and antigens to show up when you’re tested for HIV. If you have had unprotected sex or shared injecting equipment in the last 12 weeks you may want to take another test within the next three to six months.
• This is a result for you and does not tell you anybody else's status; don't assume that your partner has the same status.

What do I need to think about after having a reactive test result?

• This is a result for you and does not tell you anybody else's status; don't assume that your partner has the same status.
• A positive result could mean that you face discrimination from some people, if they know your status.
• If you are HIV positive you can pass HIV onto other people through unprotected sex or sharing injecting equipment.
• You may want to make changes in your life. Remember that you may be in shock and might not be thinking very clearly; wait until things settle down before you make major decisions.
• Similarly, you might want to tell lots of people about being HIV positive. It's important you have someone you can talk to, but at this stage, try to talk to people you really trust. You can always tell people later, but you can never un-tell them.

Will the Kwik Prick Rapid HIV test check for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?

This test will only check for HIV. It is not a full sexual health screen. If you would like a full sexual health check you will need to visit a sexual health clinic, or if you identify as gay, bisexual or man who has sex with men, you can visit the Trade sexual health walk-in clinics at Leicester's gay saunas. If you identify as a lesbian or bisexual woman, gay or bisexual man and/or trans, then you can access CLINIC xtra from the Trade office.

I have a question or concern that has not been answered in these FAQs

Please contact Trade on 0116 254 1747 or email us at info@tradesexualhealth.com and we will be more than happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.