Healthier Scotland. Scottish Government
HIV testing
Testing for HIV is straightforward, highly accurate and is the only way to know if you are infected.
On this page, find out more about who should consider testing and what's involved.
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Who should get tested for HIV?
If you have never tested for HIV you should consider a test.
Also consider a test if you've been tested before, but in the last six months:
- you've had unprotected sex
- shared injecting equipment
- been in hospital abroad where equipment may not have been sterile or was used on more than one person.
All pregnant women in Scotland are offered HIV testing as part of their routine antenatal care. This is because steps can be taken to make sure the virus is not passed to the baby.
Read more about HIV treatment and pregnancy
Because HIV can be passed on through sexual intercourse, anyone, married or not, thinking about having sex without a condom, should consider testing before doing so.
For more information on risks of HIV infection and advice on whether you should be tested, contact your nearest sexual health service
Where to get an HIV test
You can be tested for HIV at your local sexual health service or by your GP.
If you are tested at a sexual health clinic, the results and the fact that you have had a test will be kept in the strictest confidence will not be entered on your medical records.
If you are tested by your GP, it will still be kept confidential. The fact that you've had a test and the result of the test will be entered on your medical records.
Your GP will not tell anyone the results of that test without your permission or unless there are special circumstances. If a doctor needs to tell someone else, they will discuss this with you first.
Find your nearest sexual health service
What's involved in getting tested for HIV?
An HIV test involves a trained health professional taking a small amount of blood from you, usually from your arm.
If you get infected with HIV, your body reacts to the infection and produces ‘antibodies’. The test looks to see if you have these HIV antibodies in your blood. If you do have HIV antibodies this means you have HIV and this is usually called being HIV positive.
After you have been exposed to HIV it can take up to 12 weeks for your body to develop HIV antibodies and this is sometimes called the ‘window period’.
This means that if you were infected shortly before you have a test, it won't show up. You can discuss the best time to test with the person who will do your test.
When will HIV test results be available?
Results normally take around one week, depending on where you have your test done. Results can be available faster than this if there’s a specific reason (for instance if a person is unwell).
What if the result is positive?
If your test shows that you have HIV you will be referred to a specialist for further advice, support and treatment. All of this is free.
Having HIV may be a big shock but remember it is a medical condition and there are treatments that can help you stay healthy and well.
Being HIV positive does not mean that you can’t have a sexual partner but you should discuss your HIV status with your partner.
What will a positive result mean for my job, mortgages and life insurance?
Legislation in the UK now protects people with HIV from discrimination at work, from public services and from businesses.
In certain types of job, you may have to change the way you work to avoid passing on HIV to others but your employer must make 'reasonable adjustments' to enable you to stay in work.
It will still be possible to get a mortgage and to have life insurance, although the choice may be limited and they may cost more.
How do I tell my partner if I test positive for HIV?
Some people can feel upset, angry, frightened or embarrassed about discussing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) with their current or former partner(s).
If you do test positive for HIV, your partner may need to be tested, along with some of your previous partners (if you have any).
Sexual health staff can help you by giving advice about who should be contacted and the best way to contact them.
Your clinic can arrange, with your permission, a ‘contact slip’ to be given to your partner(s). This is called ‘partner notification’ or ‘contact tracing’.
The slip explains to the person that they may have been exposed to an STI and that they should go for a check-up. The slip does not give your name, and your details will remain totally confidential.
Nobody can force you to tell your past or present partner or partners about having an STI, but it is strongly recommended. Left untreated, an infection can lead to serious illness.
Read more about breaking bad news of sexually transmitted infections
Useful links
More help, advice and support about getting tested for or living with HIV can be found on the following sites
STI Help Button
Service Finder
Enter your full postcode to find your nearest sexual health service: