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Buy OraQuick HIV Self-Test
The OraQuick HIV self-test detects the antibodies your body creates to fight HIV-1 and HIV-2, without requiring any blood. It’s quick, painless and can be done from the comfort of your own home.
These antibodies can take up to three months to develop after exposure, so it is important to consider when you were last at risk. If you test too soon, the result may be inaccurate.
What's included?
Each test contains:
- testing device
- developer vial
- product leaflet
- disposal bag
Is it possible to test for HIV at home?
With the OraQuick HIV self-test, you get an accurate, private way to test for HIV in your own home. However, you should always follow up your self-test with a test at a sexual health clinic.
When to use an HIV self-test
You should use the OraQuick HIV self‑test at least 3 months (90 days) after a potential HIV exposure, because the test detects antibodies, which can take up to 3 months to reach detectable levels. For tests that are accurate for more recent possible exposure to HIV, you should contact your local sexual health clinic.
Many people will routinely self-test to keep themselves protected. Situations that can increase the risk of HIV transmission include:
- unprotected vaginal or anal sex with a new partner
- not knowing the HIV status of a sexual partner
- sharing needles, syringes or other injecting equipment
If you think you have been exposed to HIV within the last 72 hours, you should not take an HIV self-test.
Instead, contact a sexual health clinic about PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis), a short course of medication that can help prevent HIV if taken early enough.
What to do if you test positive
HIV self-tests don’t produce false positives very often, meaning that if you’ve got a positive test result, it’s possible you’ve got HIV.
If this happens, try not to panic. Instead, contact a clinician at a sexual health clinic. They will carry out another HIV test to confirm your results and discuss your options going forward.
They may suggest that you start HIV treatment (antiretroviral therapy) straight away. While not a cure, antiretroviral therapy allows people with HIV to live long, healthy lives. It can also stop you from transmitting HIV to other people by reducing your viral load.
Your clinician isn’t just there to confirm a diagnosis. They’ll listen to your concerns and provide you with the necessary support and resources you need to manage your diagnosis.
What to do if you test negative
If you test negative on your self-test, then you should still visit a sexual health clinic and get a follow-up test to confirm the result.
If you’re still concerned after your test and feel that you’re at a high risk of contracting HIV, then you should speak to a clinician about PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). This is a preventative HIV medication that is up to 99% effective at stopping transmission.
How accurate are OraQuick HIV self-tests?
OraQuick HIV self-tests are extremely accurate. When used properly, they have an expected performance of 92% for test sensitivity (percentage of results that will be positive when HIV is present) and 99% for test specificity (the percentage of results that will be negative when HIV is not present).
However, as this is still just a screening test, any result should be confirmed with a clinician.
How to use an OraQuick HIV self-test
Using an OraQuick HIV self-test is easy:
- Swab. Place the flat pad of the swab against your outer gum, above your teeth. You should gently swab the entire outer gum area, both top and bottom. Only swab once.
- Insert. You should insert the flat pad you’ve just swabbed your gums with into the vial, then start a 20-minute timer.
- Read. You’ll see pink fluid travelling up to the ‘T’ and ‘C’ in the results window. The fluid will disappear as the test develops. You should read your results after 20 minutes, but no later than 40 minutes.
Make sure you avoid eating, drinking, brushing your teeth and using mouthwash for at least 15-30 minutes before taking the test.
For complete instructions, you should read the product leaflet that is provided in the box.
Understanding your result
After 20 minutes, your results will be ready. Here’s what to look for:
- Negative test: A negative test will have one line next to the ‘C’ and no line next to the ‘T’.
- Positive test: A positive test will have two complete lines, one next to the ‘C’ and any line next to the ‘T’ (even faint) may mean you have HIV.
When should you not use an HIV self-test
You should not use an OraQuick HIV self-test for recent potential HIV exposures. If it’s still within three months of exposure, the test may be inaccurate.
If you are already on antiretroviral therapy, then the test is not suitable for you, as this may cause false results.
Other reasons you should not use a self-test include if:
- your test is past the expiration date printed on the box
- the test has been stored outside the correct temperature (2° to 27°C)
- you are under-18
- you have recently participated in an HIV vaccine clinical trial
Are there any side effects?
There are currently no known side effects to using the OraQuick HIV self-test.
It’s still safe to test if you are pregnant/breastfeeding or on antibiotics (or other non-HIV-related medication).
Sources
- How to use. OraQuick. [Accessed 23/02/2026]
- Testing and Understanding Results. OraQuick. [Accessed 23/02/2026]
Find similar products
OraQuick HIV Self Test Reviews
Advice & Guides
HIV and AIDS Explained
How is HIV Transmitted?
HIV Symptoms and Early Signs
What is PrEP?
Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) Explained
How can the OraQuick HIV Self-Test use oral fluid for HIV testing when HIV can’t be transmitted through saliva?
Although HIV can’t be transmitted through saliva, the OraQuick HIV Self-Test uses oral fluid for HIV testing by detecting antibodies that are produced in response to HIV infection. The test does not detect the virus itself
What could cause false positives on a HIV test?
A false positive is when you test positive for HIV, but you don’t have it. False positive tests can happen if you read the test wrong as positive or if you don’t follow the instructions properly. You might get a false positive if you don’t wait 15 minutes after eating or drinking or 30 minutes after using oral care products. Also, if you have participated in a HIV vaccine clinical trial or you have swiped each gum several times, this might lead to a false positive.
Can I still use the OraQuick HIV Self-Test with braces or dentures?
If you wear braces or a retainer, it is safe to use the OraQuick HIV Self-Test. However, with dentures, if they cover your gums, you must remove them and wash any paste remaining on your gums. You must then wait 30 minutes before doing the test.
What should I do if I (or my child, friend or partner) accidentally drank the testing fluid from the test tube?
If you or someone else has drunk the testing fluid from the test tube, there is no cause for concern. The ingredients in the test tube are not toxic, and no known health risks are associated with the amount of fluid provided. If you’re concerned about the liquid having been swallowed, please contact your healthcare provider for advice. If you cannot complete the test, you must get a new one.
Inside the package, there is a small pouch of absorbent material containing the test stick. Should I use it?
You do not need to do anything with the small pouch inside your test stick. It is designed to prevent moisture from affecting the test stick whilst it is stored. You can discard the small pouch of absorbent material with regular household waste.
I mistakenly/accidentally removed the test stick (or it fell out) from the vital early (before 20 minutes). Will my results be valid?
If the test stick is removed at any point after it is placed in the test tube, the test will be invalid. It won't be valid even if you immediately put it back in the test tube. If the test stick doesn’t remain in the tube for 20 minutes, your result should be considered invalid, and you must repeat the test.
How soon is too early to test for HIV?
For an OraQuick HIV self-test, you should not test until it’s been three months since your exposure. This is because the antibodies the test looks for in your saliva may not be present.
What are the symptoms of HIV?
HIV is largely asymptomatic, meaning that you may not experience any HIV symptoms while infected. Some people recognise HIV infection as flu-like symptoms around two weeks after the initial infection.
How accurate is an HIV test after two weeks?
As two weeks is before the window period of the OraQuick HIV self-test, it’s likely that the test will be inaccurate. If you want to check if you have HIV after two weeks, then you should visit a sexual health clinic or your GP.
