Is HIV self-screening the right option for me?

HIV self-screening is one of the ways you can find out your HIV status. For some people, self-screening is a more comfortable option.

You can test when you want to test – at any time of the day or night.

You can test where you want to test – alone or with friend, partner, relative or health care provider.

Why should I self-test for HIV?

Testing yourself for HIV is important for your relationships, your life and your future.

Self-testing is one of the ways that you can get to know your status.

Knowing your status means you can keep yourself and your sexual partners healthy.

Early diagnosis means you can act fast to ensure a long, healthy life.

What should I do if I test positive?

If you have a positive result you need to have another test done by a health care provider to confirm the result.

If you are positive, you can access life-saving HIV treatment to prolong your life.

What should I do if I test negative?

If you have a negative test, you could have been exposed to HIV in the 12 weeks prior to this HIV self-testing i.e. you may be in the window period. Therefore, it is important to repeat the test in 12 weeks.

If you test negative, stay negative through:

  • practising safe sex and using a condom
  • staying faithful to one partner
  • going for circumcision if you are a male.

 

Can my child use the HIV self-test kit?

Assisted HIV self-screening is recommended for children between the ages of 12 and 17 years. It is also recommended that testing of children below 12 years of age be done at a health care facility.

I’m worried I have been exposed to HIV within the past 72 hours, can I still use the HIV self-screening kit?

Yes, however, it can take up to 12 weeks to detect HIV after exposure. You need to visit your health care provider as soon as possible, where you may be able to access a course of Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) and have a blood sample taken to the laboratory for specialised testing.

What are our your delivery times?

Delivery will be during office hours (09:00am to 16:00am), Monday to Friday.