If an HIV self-test gives a reactive result, this does not by itself confirm an HIV diagnosis. A reactive self-test must be followed by additional testing by a trained healthcare provider or testing service.
Contact a healthcare provider, sexual health clinic or HIV testing service as soon as practical to arrange follow-up testing. If available, take the test packaging or details of the test you used with you.
If follow-up testing confirms HIV, you will be linked to HIV care. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is recommended for people diagnosed with HIV and should be started as soon as possible. Modern HIV treatment is highly effective and enables people living with HIV to live long and healthy lives.
Treatment reduces the amount of HIV in the blood, known as the viral load. When treatment is taken as prescribed and an undetectable viral load is achieved and maintained, HIV is not transmitted through sex. This is known as Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U).
A healthcare provider or local HIV service can advise you about partner notification and testing. If a sexual or injecting partner may have been exposed to HIV within the last 72 hours, they should seek urgent medical advice about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
You can read more about interpreting a reactive result on our What does a positive HIV test result mean? page.
For further information, see the WHO information on HIV testing and the CDC information on HIV treatment.
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