Order your free HIV test kit on this page or call the sexual health team on 0121 643 0821

To order your FREE HIV test kit – posted to your door, simply complete the online form below.

Or, call the sexual health team on 0121 643 0821 during our opening hours.

The whole process of Home HIV Rapid Testing is quick and simple and can be done in a 3 easy steps:

1. Simply complete the online form above- or contact the sexual health team on 0121 643 0821 and request your FREE HIV Rapid test kit. This will be posted out to you.
2. Download the Zoom video calling app to your smart phone, tablet or computer. This app is FREE and can be downloaded at https://zoom.us/
3. When you recieve your test kit, we can guide you via video call through how to perform the test and explain the results to you. We will be able to answer any questions you may have and can make any referrals you may need, for example for PrEP, HIV treatment referral.

We recommend that everyone who has a HIV test also tests for other STI’s (Sexually Transmitted Infections).

You can get a FREE STI self sampling kit if you have a Birmingham or Solihull postcode and take your own samples at home.

Our sexual health team can offer guidance on how to use the testing kit over video call or telephone.

We will send you an STI testing kit in the post.

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a virus that attacks and weakens the immune system. If it is left untreated, HIV causes so much damage that the body is no longer able to defend itself.

There are ways to prevent HIV infection, but as with many health conditions and illnesses, the sooner after infection someone is diagnosed the better the outlook. This is why we encourage people to get tested regularly.

Testing is simple, quick and easy and of course completely confidential.

Find out more about HIV.

U = U is an abbreviation for Undetectable = Untransmittable.

It means that someone who has HIV who is on ART (Anti Retroviral Therapy) and has an undetectable viral load cannot pass on HIV – even without using condoms or PrEP.

U = U is part of an international campaign to raise awareness of the effectiveness or ART.

More details can be found on this factsheet.

PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis.

PrEP is a way for people who don’t have HIV, but who are at high risk of getting it, to prevent HIV infection. This is by taking a pill containing two medicines, that are also used to treat HIV, at periods of high risk. If you take PrEP and are exposed to HIV through sex, these medicines can work to keep the virus from taking hold in your body*.

PrEP can be combined with condoms and other prevention methods to provide even greater protection than when used alone.

There are two proven ways of using PrEP when the risk is from anal sex.

• Daily – to take it every day during periods of risk (the PROUD study)
• On Demand – the other (the IPERGAY study) is to take a double dose 2-24 hours before you know you are going to have high risk sex and then daily until 48 hours after you stop having high risk sex.

Both methods have been proven to work but there is more research to support the PROUD method of daily use. You should consider your sex life and discuss this with a doctor to choose the right method for you.

Regular HIV and STI testing are needed whilst taking PrEP and blood & urine checks to ensure that the drugs are not affecting your kidneys.

More about PrEP here.

When used correctly for anal, vaginal or oral sex, condoms are very effective at preventing STI’s including HIV.

Some useful tips for using condoms are below.

• If used correctly every time you have sex, condoms are very effective.
• Oil-based products, such as moisturiser, lotion and Vaseline, can make latex and polyisoprene condoms less effective and can destroy them so should not be used.
• Water-based lubricant is safe to use with all condoms.
• It’s possible for a condom to slip off during sex. If this happens, you may need to get checked for STIs.
• Condoms need to be stored in places that aren’t too hot or cold, and away from sharp or rough surfaces that could tear them or wear them away.
• Putting on a condom can be an enjoyable part of sex, and doesn’t have to feel like an interruption.
• If you’re sensitive to latex, you can use LATEX FREE condoms instead.
• A condom must not be used more than once. Use a new one each time you have sex.
• Condoms have a use-by date on the packaging. Don’t use out-of-date condoms.
• Always buy condoms that have the BSI kite mark and the CE mark on the packet. This means that they’ve been tested to high safety standards. Condoms that don’t have the BSI kite mark and CE mark won’t meet these standards, so don’t use them.

You can pick up free male and female condoms and lube at the Birmingham LGBT centre or you can order free condoms by post if you live in Birmingham or Solihull here.

PEPSE stands for (Post Exposure Prophylaxis after Sexual Exposure) is a type of medication that can be taken up to 72 hours after exposure to HIV to stop you becoming infected.

If you’ve had sex without a condom, or if the condom broke during sex, you may be able to use PEPSE.

It is vital that this medication is given within 72 hours of the potential exposure to the virus as the medication is not effective after this time. The earlier PEPSE can be given the better. If you’ve had sex with somebody who you think may be HIV positive within the last 72 hours, it’s important to get help straight away. Please don’t leave it until the 72 hours is up or nearly up.

Find out more about PEPSE here.