Fast, confidential HIV testing in London
4th-generation HIV-1 & 2 / p24 antigen blood tests at five London clinics with on-site labs, backed by our 4-hour result money-back guarantee.
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HIV test options
What HIV test do I need?
In addition to the cost of tests, there is a £20 handling fee and an appointment fee (starting from £10 for a healthcare assistant or £75 for a GP).
HIV 1&2/p24 antigen
Abbott determine point of care test. 100% sensitivity, 99.75% specificity.
HIV 1&2/p24 antigen
Carried out at London's largest private laboratory.
HIV-1 RNA early detect
Suitable 10 days post exposure. If the result is negative, a standard HIV test should be taken from 45 days to confirm.
You deserve certainty
Why DocTap?
- End the worry, today.
- Avoid the sleepless nights with same-day appointments at our 4 London locations with their own on-site laboratories.
- Unwavering accuracy.
- Your peace of mind requires absolute precision. We use gold-standard 4th generation HIV 1&2/p24 antigen tests for the most reliable result possible.
- Results in hours, not days.
- Receive your diagnosis in under 4 hours with our money-back guarantee, personally reviewed by expert sexual health GPs.
- Private & supportive.
- We provide a strictly confidential, judgement-free environment. Your results are yours alone, handled with total discretion.
Confidential, simple, stress-free
What happens at your appointment
Your visit is completely confidential from start to finish — discreet online booking, a short consultation, a quick HIV blood test and secure results.
- 1Book discreetlyChoose your preferred clinic and HIV test online in a few clicks. You’ll get instant confirmation – no need to call or explain anything over the phone.
- 2Check in with confidenceArrive at your chosen clinic and check in as normal, or use remote check-in from your phone if you prefer to minimise time at reception.
- 3Quick check and blood testYour clinician will run through a few short questions about the contact and your timing, then take a quick blood sample from your arm. It’s usually over in a few minutes.
- 4Fast, secure resultsYou’ll get a message as soon as your result is ready. Tests processed in our on-site labs are back within 4 hours; at other locations results are available by 6pm the next day. You can then view your HIV result securely online in your DocTap account.
Sexual health
Related STI tests
Worried you’ve been exposed to HIV?
Was the contact in the last 72 hours?
You might need PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) – emergency HIV medication that can greatly reduce the chance of infection if started quickly. It’s time-critical: it works best as soon as possible and must be started within 72 hours of the contact.
What to do now:
- If the contact was within the last 3 days, go straight to an NHS sexual health clinic or A&E and tell them you’re worried about HIV and PEP.
- Don’t wait for a routine appointment – this is an emergency treatment window.
- Once the urgent bit is sorted, you can book an HIV test with us later.
Has it been 10–27 days since the contact?
At this stage it’s too late for PEP, but still a bit early for a standard HIV test to be fully conclusive. If you’re finding the wait unbearable, an HIV-1 RNA “early detect” test can often pick up infection sooner.
An HIV-1 RNA test looks directly for the virus in the blood and can usually start to detect HIV from around 10 days after exposure. A positive result will be followed up with standard tests and a clear treatment plan. A negative result at this point is reassuring, but it does not replace a standard 4th generation HIV test.
What to do now:
- If you are 10–27 days from the contact and very anxious, consider booking an HIV-1 RNA early detect test for earlier information.
- Whatever the result, you should still have a 4th generation HIV-1 & 2 / p24 antigen test at 45 days or later after the contact for a definitive answer.
- If you’re already close to 4 weeks or more, your clinician may suggest going straight to a standard 4th generation test instead of an RNA test, and planning your 45-day confirmatory test.
If you’re unsure which route is right for you, book an appointment and a clinician can talk through your risk, your timing and the best testing plan.
Has it been 28 days or more since the contact?
This is the right time to think about a standard 4th generation HIV-1 & 2 / p24 antigen blood test. At this stage, many infections will already show, but the test is only considered fully conclusive from 45 days after the contact.
If you’re very anxious, you can have a 4th generation test from 28 days. A negative result then is very reassuring, but you should still repeat the test at 45 days or later for a definitive answer – especially after higher-risk contact or if you’ve had any other possible exposures since.
What to do now:
- If you are 28–44 days from the contact and struggling with worry, you can:
- Book a 4th generation HIV-1 & 2 / p24 antigen test now, and
- Plan a repeat test at 45 days or later for a conclusive result.
- If it’s already been 45 days or more and there have been no further risks:
- Book a 4th generation HIV test now – a negative result at this point is generally considered highly reliable.
- If you’ve had several possible exposures over time, a clinician can help you work out the most sensible timing and whether you need more than one test.
If you’re unsure which option fits your situation best, book an appointment and we’ll go through what happened, your level of risk and the most reliable testing plan for you.
When should I get an HIV test?
1. After any possible risk
You should book a test if you have had:
- Sex without a condom with a new or casual partner
- A condom that split, came off or wasn’t used properly
- Sex with someone who has HIV or whose status you don’t know
- Shared needles or injecting equipment
If this was in the last 72 hours, read the section on PEP first – you may need urgent treatment.
If it was more than 72 hours ago, the next step is choosing the right test at the right time.
2. If you have ongoing sexual partners
Regular testing is just part of looking after your health:
- At least once if you’ve ever had unprotected sex and never been tested
- Once a year if you have new or multiple partners
- Every 3–6 months if you’re in a higher-risk group (for example, men who have sex with men, on PrEP, or with partners from higher-prevalence areas)
You can book HIV testing on its own, or as part of a wider sexual health screen.
If you’re even asking this question, it’s usually a sign you should test. Here’s when to book:
3. Before key life events
It’s sensible to have an HIV test:
- When starting a new relationship and you both want to stop using condoms
- If you’re planning a pregnancy or fertility treatment
- Before or after travelling to areas where HIV is more common
An HIV test here is about clarity and peace of mind, not judgement.
4. If you’re feeling anxious – even if the risk was low
Sometimes the biggest problem is the worry, not the actual level of risk.
If you can’t stop thinking about HIV, or you’re caught in endless “what if?” searching online, it’s better to:
- Book a test at the appropriate time after the contact, and
- Talk to a clinician who can explain your personal level of risk and what your result actually means.
Bottom line:
If you’ve had a possible exposure, or you’re unsure about your status, don’t sit on it. Book an HIV test and get a clear answer.
HIV symptoms – do I need a test?
Short answer: you cannot rely on symptoms alone. Some people with HIV feel completely well for years, others get very general symptoms that look like lots of other common illnesses. The only way to know is to have an HIV test at the right time after any possible risk.
Many people have no obvious symptoms
Plenty of people with HIV:
- Feel completely normal
- Have no specific “HIV symptoms”
- Only find out through routine or precautionary testing
So feeling well doesn’t rule HIV out – and feeling tired or run down doesn’t automatically mean you have HIV either.
Early HIV symptoms can look like a normal virus
A few weeks after infection, some people get a short illness (often called a “seroconversion illness”). Typical symptoms can include:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Rash
- Swollen glands
- Headache, muscle aches, feeling generally unwell
The problem is these are nonspecific. Colds, flu, COVID and many other viruses can cause exactly the same thing. You can’t tell from symptoms alone.
If you’ve had these kinds of symptoms and a possible HIV risk (for example, sex without a condom or a condom failure), it’s sensible to look at the timing and book a test.
Late symptoms are not how you should find out
Without treatment, HIV can eventually damage the immune system and cause more serious infections and weight loss. In the UK, with testing and modern treatment available, we want to pick HIV up long before that.
If you wait for “typical HIV symptoms”, you’re waiting too long.
So when should I test?
Base your decision on risk + timing, not symptoms:
- If you’ve had a possible exposure (for example, unprotected sex with a new partner), check our section on when to test and choose the right time for a 4th generation HIV test.
- If you’re unsure how risky something was, book an appointment – a clinician can go through what happened and recommend the most appropriate test and timing.
What if I feel unwell now?
- If you’re unwell after a possible HIV exposure, we can assess you, look at the timing and arrange the right tests – for HIV and for other possible causes.
- If you feel very unwell (for example, severe shortness of breath, chest pain, confusion or can’t keep fluids down), seek urgent medical help via NHS 111, an urgent care centre or A&E.
Bottom line:
Symptoms on their own cannot confirm or rule out HIV. If you’ve had a possible risk and you’re worrying about it, the most helpful next step is to book an HIV test and get a clear answer.
What if my result is positive?
A positive HIV result is a shock for anyone – but you are not on your own, and this is not the end of your future plans. Modern treatment is highly effective, and we’ll guide you through every step.
1. A clinician will explain your result
You won’t just be left to interpret a positive result on a screen. A clinician will:
- Confirm the result with you
- Explain clearly what it means and what happens next
- Answer your questions, as honestly and simply as possible
If a confirmatory blood test is needed, we’ll arrange that straight away.
2. We’ll move quickly to get you specialist care
If HIV is confirmed, the priority is to link you into a specialist NHS HIV clinic. We will:
- Arrange a referral to an appropriate NHS HIV service
- Share your results with them (with your consent) so you don’t have to start from scratch
- Make sure you understand where to go and what to expect
At the clinic, they’ll organise further blood tests and start you on treatment.
3. Treatment is effective – and protects your partners
Modern HIV treatment is:
- Taken once a day in most cases
- Designed to reduce the amount of virus in your blood to an undetectable level
- So effective that, once undetectable, you cannot pass HIV on through sex (often called “U=U” – undetectable equals untransmittable)
With treatment and follow-up, people with HIV can have a near-normal life expectancy and live full, active lives.
4. Support with telling partners and moving forward
Many people worry most about how to tell partners or loved ones. We can:
- Talk about who may need to know and how to say it
- Advise on partner notification and where specialist support is available
- Signpost to reputable charities and support organisations if you’d like extra help
You remain in control of who is told and when, except in very rare situations where we are legally required to share information.
5. Your result is confidential
Your HIV result is part of your confidential medical record. It is not shared with employers, family or insurers without your explicit consent, except where the law requires it.
If your test is positive, the most important next step is simple:
stay engaged with care. We will help you get to the right specialist team quickly, and they will support you with treatment and follow-up so you can plan your future with clarity.
PEP, PrEP and emergency help
Some HIV questions can’t wait. If you’ve had a recent risk or you’re worried about ongoing risk, this is how PEP, PrEP and urgent help fit together.
PEP – emergency HIV treatment after a recent risk
PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is emergency HIV medication taken for 28 days to reduce the chance of infection after a high-risk exposure.
- It must be started within 72 hours of the contact – the sooner the better.
- It’s usually given by NHS sexual health clinics or A&E, not routine GP appointments.
- You’ll be assessed on what happened, when, and who was involved to decide if PEP is appropriate.
If your possible exposure was in the last 72 hours:
- Do not wait for a standard DocTap appointment.
- Go straight to an NHS sexual health clinic or A&E and tell them you’re worried about HIV and think you may need PEP.
- You can still book follow-up HIV testing with DocTap later to confirm your status.
PrEP – preventing HIV before it happens
PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is HIV medication taken before and around times of risk to reduce the chance of becoming infected.
- It’s designed for people at ongoing higher risk, for example some men who have sex with men, people with HIV-positive partners, or those with frequent condomless sex.
- When taken correctly, PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV.
- You still need regular HIV tests and STI screens, plus occasional blood tests to monitor your health.
If you think you might benefit from PrEP:
- You can discuss it with a sexual health clinic or specialist PrEP service.
- DocTap can help with HIV testing and STI screening alongside any PrEP care you receive.
When is it an emergency?
Seek urgent help (NHS 111, sexual health clinic or A&E) if:
- A possible HIV exposure was within the last 72 hours (you may need PEP), or
- You feel very unwell after a recent high-risk exposure – for example, high fever, severe headache, rash and feeling generally very ill, or any symptoms that worry you.
Where DocTap fits in
DocTap is here to:
- Provide confidential HIV testing at the right time after any exposure
- Help you understand your personal level of risk
- Arrange appropriate follow-up tests and referral into NHS specialist services if needed
If you’re unsure whether you need PEP, PrEP, or just a well-timed HIV test, book an appointment and we’ll talk through what happened and the safest next step for you.
Know your HIV status.
If you’ve had a possible exposure, the most important step is getting tested at the right time for a reliable result.
Frequently asked questions
- How soon after exposure should I take an HIV test?
DocTap’s standard fourth-generation HIV antigen/antibody test can detect many infections by 28 days, but a negative result is treated as conclusive from 45 days after the most recent exposure. The HIV-1 RNA early-detection test is available from 10 days, but a negative early result should still be followed by a standard fourth-generation test from 45 days. The available tests and window periods are explained at https://doctap.co.uk/hiv-tests. Testing earlier than the stated window can miss an infection. If the exposure was within the last 72 hours, seek urgent advice about post-exposure prophylaxis instead of waiting to test.
- Which HIV test should I choose: fourth-generation or HIV RNA?
Choose the standard fourth-generation antigen/antibody test from 28 days after exposure; a negative result is treated as conclusive from 45 days. The HIV-1 RNA early-detection test is available from 10 days for earlier information, but a negative RNA result still needs a fourth-generation test from 45 days. The options are explained at https://doctap.co.uk/hiv-tests.
- How quickly will I receive HIV test results?
At selected clinics with on-site laboratories, the fourth-generation HIV test has results within four hours, backed by DocTap’s stated money-back guarantee. At other clinics, fourth-generation and HIV-1 RNA results are usually available by 6pm the next day. Turnaround times can occasionally be longer if additional laboratory testing is required. See current options at https://doctap.co.uk/hiv-tests.
- Can I get a confidential HIV test without symptoms?
Yes. Your appointment, results and records are stored securely and are not shared with your NHS GP, employer or anyone else without your consent, except where required by law or for serious safety reasons. You can view your results privately through your DocTap account. If you want your NHS GP to have a copy, download the relevant record from the Records tab and send it directly to your NHS GP practice.
- What should I do if my HIV exposure was within the past 72 hours?
If the possible exposure was within the past 72 hours, seek urgent advice about PEP rather than waiting for a routine HIV test. PEP works best when started as soon as possible and must be started within 72 hours. Go to an NHS sexual-health clinic or A&E and explain the exposure and timing. You can arrange follow-up HIV testing later.