Positive East’s friendly and professional Testing and Prevention Team deliver in-person HIV/STI testing at community venues across East London including our building in Stepney Green, libraries, bars, pharmacies and sex-on-premises venues.
With just a prick of the finger, you’ll find out your HIV status during your appointment! We also test for Syphilis, Gonorrhoea, Chlamydia and Hepatitis B & C, and you’ll get those results within 10 working days from Barts Health.
Test results are most accurate 3 months after the exposure to HIV (this is known as the window period). If you want to know if you’re outside our recommended window period you can ask Pat our sexual health chatbot. Click HERE to start the chat.
Positive East’s testing service is open to anyone aged 18+
If you have any questions please email prevention@positiveeast.org.uk or call 020 7791 2855 (option 3) You can also ‘Chat to Pat’ our sexual health chatbot HERE.
Q&A
We know that you may have a lot of questions before you get an HIV/STI test, and for many, there can be a lot of anxiety around the process or what to expect. We’ve answered a few of the most common questions below. You can always get in touch prior to your test, and our team will be happy to speak with you.
Do you prescribe medication and treatment?
Positive East does not diagnose, treat or prescribe treatment for HIV or STIs or dispense PrEP and PEP. We will refer you to sexual health clinic if medication and treatments are needed.
Does it hurt?
The HIV test is relatively painless and just involves a simple prick of the finger. Similar to how people test their blood sugar (just a small drop of blood). People say that it often feels like a light scratch.
The gonorrhoea and chlamydia tests involve swabs (throat, vaginal and rectal) and a urine sample.
How long does the HIV test take?
We use rapid HIV tests, and you’ll know the results of the test within your appointment (around 15 minutes).
The STI tests get sent to a lab associated with Barts Health and you should receive those results within 10 working days via text. If you do not receive your STI test results after 10 days, you can call the Barts Results line on 0207 377 7650.
What if the HIV I test positive for HIV?
If your HIV test is “reactive” we will be here to support you the entire way – you will not be alone.
Positive East uses antibody HIV tests. This means it only reacts to the potential of HIV antibodies and not the HIV virus itself.
Therefore if your test is reactive, the next step will be to refer you to a full-service health clinic for a confirmatory test.
Again, we will support you through this entire process and book this confirmatory test for you.
What if I have symptoms
If you have any symptoms (commonly known as symptomatic) of an STI (i.e. burning or itching or discharge) we ask that you book directly with a sexual health clinic. We won’t be able to provide you with the STI test if you are symptomatic as we cannot diagnose an STI or prescribe treatment. Contact us and we can help you find the nearest sexual health clinic.
Who can get an HIV/STI test with Positive East?
Any adult over the age of 18 can test with Positive East. We do not ask for medical history, GP information, resident or immigration status and all genders and sexual orientations are welcome.
