Hepatitis C test
Blood test
Take a small blood sample from a finger prick - we send you everything you'll need
Get your results by text within 72 hours of your sample arriving at the lab.
Test 12 weeks (84 days) after unprotected sex for most accurate results
You can choose to add test kits for other infections at checkout.
What happens next
Order online
We’ll ask you a few questions about your health. We’ll text you when we dispatch your order.
Free discreet delivery
We’ll deliver your order by 1st Class post. And we'll include a Freepost box to return your samples to our lab.
Results and support by text
We’ll send your results within 72 hours of your samples arriving at our lab. Get support by text whenever you need it. Our clinicians are here to help.
A dedicated clinician
If you have a reactive result, one of our clinicians will call you to talk through the next steps.
What our users say
Extremely efficient service. Felt discreet and well packaged for sending samples.
Great service. Removed an awkward barrier. I'm sure the service has helped many people test.
Fantastic service!! I felt very much at ease throught the process. Instructions were very clear on the tests and results were incredibly quick! Will definitely reccomend!
You have an amazing, thoughtful user experience! I would have been too busy to take this test 'in real life' so it was great to have something I could do quickly and on my own schedule.
What's in the hepatitis C self-test kit?
For these home tests, we use a blood sample from a finger prick. You’ll find an instruction card in your kit.
Sterile wipes and plasters
Use the wipes to clean your fingertip before you start. You might need a small plaster for your fingertip.
Small lancets
Use a lancet to make a tiny cut on the side of your fingertip. We send some spares in case you need to try more than once.
Blood sample tube
Drop a small amount of blood into the tube. You can use more than one finger if you need to.
Protective bag and return box
It’s easy to send your sample safely to our lab. Use our protective bag and Freepost box to return in any Royal Mail postbox.
How to collect a blood sample
Many people find it easier and quicker to collect their blood sample after watching this short video.
Top tips
make sure your hands are warm by having a bath or shower, or exercise to warm up
drink lots of water before you test
push the lancet firmly into the side of your finger. Avoid the more sensitive middle part of your fingertip
keep your arm as straight as you can
massage from your palm to your fingertip to help the blood flow
If you need more lancets, do not order a new kit. Text us and we'll send you some more.
Multiple tests from 1 blood sample
Add more tests to your order and use just 1 blood sample for them all
Hepatitis C: the basics
When to test for hepatitis C
If you think you’ve been exposed to hepatitis C or have symptoms, visit your GP or a sexual health clinic immediately for advice. Getting treatment early is the best way to prevent the infection from spreading.
Most tests are accurate at 12 weeks (84 days) after sexual contact, but it can take up to 9 months for an infection to show up accurately in a test.
If you are not sure when you might have been exposed, do a test now, and another test in 9 months. Our clinicians can help you work out when to test again once you’ve placed your order.
Who should test for hepatitis C?
We only recommend hepatitis C tests for people who are at high risk of infection. This includes men who have sex with men if they have multiple sexual partners or are taking PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV), people living with HIV, and people who have injected drugs.
How hepatitis C is passed on
Hepatitis C is usually transmitted through blood to blood contact. This could be sharing needles when injecting drugs, a cut that comes into contact with infected blood, using unsterilised equipment for tattooing or body piercing, or sharing razors or toothbrushes contaminated with infected blood or bodily fluids.
It can be transmitted through unprotected sex. This is rare and can be prevented if you use a condom.
Symptoms of hepatitis C
Many people won’t notice any symptoms. And for some people, hepatitis C is a short-term illness.
But for over 50% of people who become infected with the hepatitis C virus, it becomes a long-term, chronic infection.
Chronic hepatitis C can lead to serious problems with the liver, like scarring (cirrhosis) and liver cancer. Often there are no symptoms of chronic hepatitis C until it starts to damage the liver.
Getting treatment
If you're in the early stages of the hepatitis C infection, you should see a doctor. You might need medication to help with the symptoms.
People with chronic hepatitis C, which has lasted a few months, will need to see a specialist. They may need anti-viral medication that can stop the virus spreading through the body and prevent liver disease.
The sooner treatment begins after exposure to hepatitis C, the more likely it is to work. Even if treatment clears the virus, you can be infected again.
Can I be infected with hepatitis C more than once?
Yes, it is possible to be reinfected with hepatitis C if you come into contact with the infection again.
Can my partner tell if I have hepatitis?
They will be able to tell if you have symptoms of infection but not if you don’t. However, it is important that you tell your partner since you have passed the infection to them.
Your partner(s) will need to be tested and may need treatment. Your partner could develop serious symptoms if untreated, or could pass the infection onto someone else.
What is antiviral medication?
Antiviral medication usually acts to prevent a virus from multiplying.
Will having an STI affect my pregnancy?
Women are offered routine testing for HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis early in pregnancy as part NHS antenatal care. Testing for these infections in pregnancy is particularly important as they can be passed from mother to baby during birth.
Chlamydia and gonorrhoea are common infections in the general population. If you think you may have been at risk of either of these then testing during pregnancy can be a good idea. You may discuss testing with your GP, midwife or local sexual health service. Alternatively you can complete a home test without risk to your pregnancy.
Treating any infections during pregnancy will reduce or remove the risk of passing these onto your baby. Your midwife may also suggest changes to your birth plan (for example, by planned caesarean section) to reduce the risk of transmission of some infections. You can talk to your midwife or doctor about any concerns at your routine antenatal appointments.
How accurate are the STI tests?
Our simple home STI test kits are highly accurate when you:
wait the recommended window period before you test
follow the kit instructions carefully
complete additional tests in a clinic setting, if recommended by our clinicians.
Your samples are sent to our partner laboratory to be processed by specialist technicians. We use similar tests that are used by many NHS clinics.
If you are experiencing any STI symptoms, you should visit your local sexual health clinic for further testing and examination.
Do you need help with something else?
Find your local sexual health clinic.
Find out where you can access medication to reduce your chance of becoming infected with HIV. It must be started within 3 days of exposure.
Find out about your emergency contraceptive options.
