National HIV Testing Week - 5 to 11 February 2024
National HIV testing week raises awareness of the importance of HIV testing, as well as increasing opportunities for people to get tested.
We want to increase regular HIV testing, increase early diagnosis and ultimately improve quality of life for those living with HIV.
Testing for HIV is free quick and confidential
If you have put yourself at risk of or exposure to HIV it’s easy to get tested.
Tests can be completed:
- within minutes and give you an initial result on the day • results available within 1-20 minutes
- from 4 weeks after risk or exposure to HIV (testing timescales vary, more details are available from each service provider)
Support is available throughout the test, including after receiving results.
Recently been exposed to HIV?
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a combination of drugs that should prevent HIV infection after possible HIV exposure, which could include after unproduced sex or a condom failure.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) should be commenced as soon as possible or within 24 hours of exposure. It can be accessed from Leicester Sexual Health Service (during opening hours) and Emergency Department at the Leicester Royal Infirmary (24 hours a day).
HIV home sampling
Don’t have the time to get a HIV test done? Order your free HIV home sampling kit delivered right to your door, for easy, flexible testing from freetesting.hiv/test.hiv
Get sexual health advice and enquire about HIV testing:
Leicester Sexual Health
- call: 0300 124 0102 or 0800 318 908
Trade Sexual Health
- Trade offer free rapid HIV testing for Leicester's lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans communities, and will be hosting drop-ins during HIV Testing Week. For more information go to: www.tradesexualhealth.com/
- tel 0116 254 1747
LASS
- tel 0116 255 9995
Sexual health outreach service
- phone or text 07580 973 307
Regular sexual health screening is important
If you have put yourself at risk, there is a chance that you may have other sexually-transmitted infections too.
Testing 2 weeks after unprotected sex or every time you change sexual partners is good practice.