Test results

The Freepost packs for sending samples back to the lab usually arrive safely in 3-4 days, but sometimes delays with the post affect this. At the lab, it can take up to 72 hours to do the tests and send your results.

If it has been more than 7 working days since you posted your samples, get in touch by text or email and our customer care team will be able to help you.

In your message, please include the date you posted your samples and:

• Your name

• Your postcode

• Your phone number

• Your date of birth

This helps us to quickly track your order in our systems.

If you have an SH:24 account, your results will be kept there. You’ll get a text message letting you know when they are ready. Then you can log in and check them.

If you do not have an account, you’ll get your results sent in a text message.

In some cases, one of our clinicians will call you to talk about your results and treatment. We’ll always text you first to agree on a good time to speak.

If we cannot contact you by text or phone call about a positive or reactive result, we may also send you an email or letter.

A reactive result is not a positive result. A reactive result means the test has reacted to something in your blood.

To diagnose HIV you need to do 3 different types of tests. If you go to a clinic and have blood taken, there’s enough in that blood sample to do all 3 tests. In a finger-prick blood sample done by an online service, there is only enough blood to do the first test. 

This first test is very sensitive. It picks up almost all HIV infections but it may also cross-react with other things in your blood.

If you have a reactive result then we’ll discuss this with you and organise for you to have a second blood sample taken in a clinic so that further tests can be done.

In many cases, the initial result is not confirmed and the final result will be negative.

We do not offer hard copy versions, emails or letters with test results, because we cannot confirm who has given the samples. Our test results cannot be used as official documentation of results.

If you have an infection, we will advise you how to get treatment and further support.

If your test result is positive for chlamydia, we can offer treatment by post. If you have complicated symptoms that require examination or further testing, we will help you find a clinic for treatment.

One of our clinicians might contact you to talk about your treatment. We’ll always text you first to agree on a good time to speak.

Telling your partner or partners that you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) can be a difficult conversation. But it’s important that you let them know, for their health and for yours.

If they also have the STI but don’t know about it, they can pass it on to other people. Or you can pass it back and forth between you, so you might get the infection again. If they don’t have treatment when they need it, the STI could develop and cause more serious health problems.

It's not something you have to do yourself if you do not want to. The sexual health clinic or service who did your tests will be able contact your partners anonymously and recommend that they get tested.

We work in partnership with local NHS sexual health clinics to help you manage your sexual health. These clinics can access the information we have about you and your results so that they can help you with any care that needs a visit to a clinic.

This information is kept separate from your main medical record and we will never share information with your GP without your permission, unless there's a legal reason why we must do so.

You can read more about this in our terms and conditions.

Check our privacy policy for information on how we handle your personal data.

If it's important to you that your information is not shared with your local sexual health clinic, contact us on sh24.info@nhs.net and we will try to help.