What is Next?
My Test Result is POSITIVE
Firstly don’t panic. You have taken a really important first step in finding out your HIV or other STI status.
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If your screen test result is positive, you must consult a healthcare professional. Use SXT to find your local HIV clinic by clicking here. For Scotland: Click here.
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HIV is a long term, manageable condition, once it’s diagnosed. Honestly, HIV is just 3 letters, not a sentence.
If you are thinking do I have HIV? Finding out you have HIV early has two enormous benefits:
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1. You will be able to start treatment as soon as you need it. Although there isn’t a cure for HIV, treatments are now so advanced that in the UK, with correct treatment at the correct time, you can live an active and healthy life and have a normal life expectancy. Early diagnosis is absolutely critical - the longer HIV goes diagnosed, the more damage it will do to your body. The drug treatments that are available prevent the virus from reproducing and limit the damage to your immune system.
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2. HIV is most commonly passed on through unprotected sex (vaginal or anal sex without a condom). Condoms are proven to prevent HIV transmission. It is really important you use condoms, as having unprotected sex will put yourself and others at risk.
If you are confirmed to be HIV positive, this means you have the virus in your body - it doesn't mean you are ill, or that you have AIDS.
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AIDS is an advanced stage of HIV infection and only happens after someone goes a long time without treatment. Not having treatment for HIV infection eventually weakens the immune system and a person cannot effectively fight even the most common illnesses.
Always Be Sure is a high end quality screening test which has the top detection limit among all other brands which makes it the ideal choice for the earlier detection possible for a screening test.
A negative result may not be accurate until 21 days after infection with HIV, and after 28 days for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Syphilis.
My Test Result is NEGATIVE
Congratulations! This is certainly a wonderful news to everyone :)
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Your result is certainly negative if you have performed the Always Be Sure Test after at least 21 days of possible exposure to HIV, or after 28 days after possible exposure to Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Syphilis.
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However, if you feel like you are not sure about the timeline, or you have been seriously exposed to higher risk situation and wishes to confirm your results; then we advise you to repeat the test again after 4 weeks. You can order the test by clicking HERE >>
Staying Negative
Safe sex – Play safe. Using a condom is the easiest way to protect yourself from HIV and other STI’s.
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Safer sex – Make choices that are right for you and be confident to ask for the sex that feels rights for you.
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Safest sex – Take responsibility for your sexual health. Unless you’re absolutely sure of a partner’s HIV status, safe sex is your best choice. If you do put yourself at risk it is recommended to test at least every 3 months.
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Play Safe
Condoms are the best way to protect yourself and others from HIV infection and other STI's (Sexually Transmitted Infections) as they provide a barrier and stop another person’s body fluids mixing with your own.
Penetrative vaginal and anal sex, carry the highest risk. Male or female condoms offer the best barrier protection if they are used correctly and don’t split or slip off.
Some condoms come ready lubricated, but you might want to use an additional lubricant (lube), especially for anal sex.
If you are using latex condoms make sure you don’t use an oil based lube (Vaseline, baby oil etc) because it damages them and can make them ineffective. You’re best to use a water based lube.
You need to use a new condom for each partner if you are having sex with more than one person and it’s also advisable to change the condom after 30 minutes during a long session.
Oral sex is also penetrative sex but has a much lower HIV risk unless you have cuts or sores in your mouth or bleeding gums. You might want to use a flavoured condom or dental dam.
Sex toys, dildos, vibrators, in fact any object entering a person is also penetrative sex and could carry infected body fluids. If you are sharing toys you need to use a new condom to cover them for each person they enter.
Sex without penetration is ‘safer sex’ and carries a lot lower risk. Mutual masturbation, frottaging and erotic massage are types of non-penetrative sex that lots of people enjoy. Be creative.
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Stay Safe
It is a great idea to get tested as a "Couple" before engaging in a sexual relationship even with the use of protection. Aside from boosting your disease-free status confidence, you never know when a condom break might take place during intercourse.
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Situations other than sexual encounters could also present a high risk of contracting an infectious disease such as HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. Example of such is getting Tattoo, surgeries and even beauty saloon and nail care shops. Make sure to choose the place wisely and care for the use of sterilized items. Should you have been exposed to higher risk incident in these cases, do not hesitate to perform these tests!
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Making confident choices...
Even when you know the facts, it’s not always easy to make sure you have safer sex and it can be more difficult to play safe if you’ve had alcohol or taken drugs. You might find it easier to talk about using condoms or having safer sex before the situation arises, as it can be harder to discuss once sex has started.
It does matter if someone you have sex with doesn’t mention condoms or HIV. A partner who does not know their status may have HIV without knowing it, or if they do know might find it difficult to tell you. Unless you’re absolutely sure of a partner’s HIV status you are safest to use protection so feel confident in talking about it and making the choices that are right for you.
You have the right to make your own choices and for people to respect them. Say ‘yes’ to the sex you do want and ‘no’ to the sex you don’t.