Self-test for HIV

We offer a self-test­ing kit for HIV at a pre­fe­ren­tial price of €20 available for purchase at Check­point unten­rum (see address below.) The tests can be purcha­sed here and used at home, or you can test yours­elf here in the com­pany of a coun­sellor. The indi­vi­dual risk is cla­ri­fied with the coun­sellor before the test. If you decide to do the test here with one of our coun­sell­ors, during the test we make sure you are using the test cor­rectly, but we are not allo­wed to lend a hand our­sel­ves. And of course after the test, we will con­ti­nue to sup­port you with advice and help, wha­te­ver the test result may be.

What is an HIV self-test?

An HIV self-test is an HIV test that is easy to do yours­elf, for exam­ple, at home. Some blood is remo­ved from the fin­ger­tip and pla­ced in a test device. To do this, you prick the tip of your fin­ger with a lan­cing device. The HIV self-test indi­ca­tes the result after about a quar­ter of an hour. Like other com­mon test methods, the self-test does not detect HIV directly but rather anti­bo­dies against the virus. Important: The anti­bo­dies build up over time. The­r­e­fore, the test can only rule out that an infec­tion has occur­red after 12 weeks, so the result of “HIV-nega­tive” is only relia­ble when the pos­si­ble trans­mis­sion is twelve weeks prior to the test being done. The test can often prove an exis­ting HIV infec­tion earlier.

How accu­rate are the self-tests?

Accor­ding to the manu­fac­tu­rer, the HIV self-test “Exacto HIV Test” we offer has a sen­si­ti­vity of more than 99% and is recom­men­ded by Deut­sche AIDS-Hilfe e.V.. The appli­ca­tion is very simple; you only need one drop of blood.

How much does the self-test cost?

The self test costs 20€ (35€ for cou­ples)
The optio­nal coun­sel­ling and gui­ded appli­ca­tion is free.