The test detects antibodies in your blood sample that are specific for HIV (not the HIV virus itself) and these antibodies produce the TEST line. A positive result is preliminary and must be confirmed by a healthcare professional.

Examples of risk events can include sex with multiple partners, sex with someone who is HIV positive or whose status you do not know, using illegal injected drugs or steroids, shared needles or syringes and exchanging sex for money

You can test yourself at any time. If you are using this test earlier than 3 months since a risk event and your test is negative, your result may not be accurate. You should test again 3 months after the risk event to be sure. You can also receive testing at your local healthcare facility.

The safety lancet is designed for one time use only.

No, you can use any finger.

The design allows the blood to be naturally drawn into the pipette by capillary action.

The test has been carried out correctly when the instructions for use are followed. It includes the reading time and the interpretation of the results shown at the “RESULTS INTERPRETATION” secrion of the instructions for use.


A coloured line will appear at the control region (C) on the test device, showing that the test performed correctly. The absence of the coloured line suggests to repeat the test with a new device and a new sample.


The colour and intensity of the lines do not affect the interpretation of the result. The test is to be considered positive regardless of the color intensity of the test line (T).


A negative result means that the test has not detected HIV antibodies in the blood sample; however it may take up to 3 months from a risk event for the test to detect HIV.

If you have not had any risk events within the past 3 months, and you followed the instructions for use carefully, then you are most likely HIV negative. If you did not follow the instructions for use carefully, you should perform another test to be sure your result is correct. If you had any risk events in the past 3 months, you could be in the ‘window period’. The window period is when a person has been infected with HIV, but their body has not made antibodies yet. If you think you may have been exposed to HIV within the past 3 months, you should retest for HIV 3 months following the risk event. If you continue to engage in risk events that could put you at risk for HIV, you should test on a regular basis.

When a person reads their test result as negative, but the true HIV status of the person is positive.

This can occur if you have had a risk event less than 3 months prior to taking the test, having infection with an HIV-1 or HIV-2 variant that does not elicit antibodies recognized by the test, if you incorrectly read the test result as negative, or if you did not follow the instructions for use carefully.

A positive result means you may have been exposed to HIV.

You need to follow up with a healthcare professional to confirm the test result. At that time your healthcare professional will discuss the next steps that need to be taken.

When a person reads their test result as positive and the true HIV status of the person is negative.

This can occur for any of the following reasons: Incorrectly reading test result as positive, not following the instructions for use carefully, or if you have participated in a HIV vaccine clinical trial.

No, you cannot get HIV from using the test.

At your local clinic, doctor or healthcare professional.

If you are taking oral PrEP for HIV, you may get a false result.

Yes, even if you are pregnant you can test with the SURE CHECK HIV Self-Test.