Insti HIV test
Blood test
£25
Delivery included
You only need a single drop of blood from your fingertip for an instant result
Test 12 weeks (84 days) after unprotected sex for most accurate results
Read your own results instantly
What happens next
Free discreet delivery
1st Class delivery is included. Your order comes in plain packaging that fits through the letterbox.
Test at home
You'll get everything you need in the test kit. Follow the simple steps and post your samples to our lab in the Freepost box.
Secure online account
Log in to check your order status and get your test results - within 72 hours of your samples arriving at our lab. Or get your results by text message.
Support whenever you need it
We're here to help - get support from our specialist clinicians at any time.
What's in the Insti HIV test kit?
For the instant HIV test, you need a single drop of blood from a finger prick. You’ll find an instruction card in your kit.
Read the instructions carefully. They tell you exactly how to do the test and read the results.
Insti test device
Put this on a clean flat surface.
Small lancets
Use a lancet to make a tiny cut in your fingertip.
Blood sample (bottle 1)
Let one drop of blood fall into the bottle. Twist on the cap. Shake the bottle 4 times and pour all the liquid into the test device. Wait until all the liquid has disappeared.
Testing solution (bottles 2 and 3)
Follow the instructions to pour the liquid from these bottles into the test device. First, pour all the liquid from bottle 2 and wait until it all disappears. Then pour in the contents of bottle 3. You’ll see your results in a few minutes.
Do not wait long to check your results. If you leave the test to develop for over an hour, the results will not be valid.
How to take a blood sample
You need a single drop of blood from your fingertip to take the Insti HIV test. Watch this short video to see how to do the test at home.
HIV: the basics
Prevent infection with PEP
If you think you may have been exposed to HIV in the last 3 days, go to your local sexual health clinic, or A&E department, immediately to get post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
PEP is a medication that can prevent infection even after you've been exposed, if taken within 72 hours. The sooner that you start this medication, the more likely it is to work.
When to test for HIV
HIV infection does not show in tests immediately, so you need to wait for the right amount of time to get an accurate result. The best time after risk to test depends on which types of HIV test you use:
HIV lab test: 7 weeks
Insti HIV test: 12 weeks (3 months)
OraQuick test: 12 weeks (3 months)
If you’re not sure when you might have been exposed, test now and do a second test in 7 or 12 weeks.
People can carry HIV without showing symptoms or knowing that they have it. So routine testing is important. If you have sex without condoms, particularly if you've changed partners, are a man who has sex with men, or have multiple partners, you should get tested for HIV every 3 months.
Treatment for HIV
Modern treatment means most people living with HIV have a long and healthy life. Treatment involves antiretroviral medications.
If your test gives a reactive result, one of our clinicians will call you to explain the next steps. We’ll help arrange another test to confirm your result.
Reviewed by
Dr Paula Baraitser, Former Medical Director, SH:24Do 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.
Medication people at risk of contracting HIV take to prevent getting HIV from sex or injection drug use.
Find out about your emergency contraceptive options.
