Blue Horizon Medicals Sexual health & STIs

HIV Screening

This test checks for HIV 1 and 2 antibodies plus the p24 antigen, which can be detected earlier than antibodies alone. It suits anyone wanting an at-home check after a possible exposure.

  • At-home test
  • Doctor reviewed
Sample
Blood
Collection
At-home finger-prick or venous draw at clinic or nurse home visit
Results in
1 day
Biomarkers
3
Doctor reviewed
Yes
Tests for
  • HIV1
  • HIV2
  • p24 antigen

Test specifications

Provider
Blue Horizon Medicals
Sample type
blood
Collection method
at-home finger-prick or venous draw at clinic or nurse home visit
Turnaround time
1 day
Biomarkers tested
3
At-home test
Yes
Doctor reviewed
Yes
Gender focus
Both

What's tested

3 biomarkers as listed by Blue Horizon Medicals.

  • HIV1
  • HIV2
  • p24 antigen

About this test

HIV Screening looks for antibodies to both HIV 1 and HIV 2, plus the p24 antigen, a viral protein the provider says is detectable before HIV antibodies form and so allows earlier detection than an antibody-only test. As antibody levels rise, p24 antigen typically becomes harder to detect, so the combination is intended to widen the window in which an infection can be picked up.

We do not track a group of directly equivalent HIV-only screens from other providers, so we cannot compare this test's price against named competitors. Against the wider set of 115 similarly sized sexual health tests we track, its £45.25 price is well below the £145 median, and three markers puts its clinical depth in the 65th percentile of that wider set.

It scores highly for collection convenience, since it can be done at home with a finger-prick sample as well as via a venous draw. Results are reviewed by a doctor, and Blue Horizon has traded since 2009 with a 4.2 Trustpilot score from 395 reviews and lab work through UKAS ISO 15189 partner labs.

Who is it for?

This suits anyone who wants a low-cost, at-home HIV check that also looks for the earlier p24 antigen marker, rather than an antibody-only test. It is a sensible option after a possible exposure where earlier detection matters.

We don't have data on directly equivalent HIV-only screens from other providers to say whether a cheaper or broader option exists elsewhere. If you also want Hepatitis B and C checked in the same sample, Blue Horizon's own HIV and Hepatitis Screen covers all three for £54.25.

How it works

You can take this as an at-home finger-prick sample, or opt for a venous draw at a clinic, Circle Hospital or Superdrug store, or a nurse home visit; the option is selected at checkout. Once your sample reaches the lab, results are reviewed by a doctor and are typically back within 1 day.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Checks for HIV 1, HIV 2 and the earlier p24 antigen marker, not just antibodies.
  • Can be done at home with a finger-prick sample.
  • At £45.25, priced well under the £145 median for sexual health tests we track.
  • A doctor reviews your result before you receive it.

Cons

  • No comparison group of equivalent HIV-only screens, so relative value is harder to judge.
  • Only covers HIV; Hepatitis B and C need separate tests unless you choose the combined screen.

Our editorial score

Compare Health Test Score Broad, at-home HIV screen well under category average price
Editorial confidence: 10.0/10

This screening test checks for HIV 1 and 2 antibodies alongside the p24 antigen, which the provider says can appear before antibodies do, allowing earlier detection. At £45.25 it is priced well below the £145 median for similarly sized sexual health tests we track, and it can be done as an at-home finger-prick sample.

Score breakdown

  • Clarity and documentation 9.0/10

    The listing publishes a detailed description, the full biomarker list, a stated turnaround, clear collection options, the sample type; it does not state what the report looks like.

  • Clinical depth 8.4/10

    3 biomarkers, placing it in the 65th percentile of sexual health tests we track.

  • Collection convenience 10.0/10

    A finger-prick sample you take at home; with a venous or clinic option as well; a home nurse visit is offered; results in around 1 days, well ahead of the sexual health norm of 2.

  • Results and follow-up 7.0/10

    Results are reviewed by a doctor; the provider does not describe the report format.

  • Trust signals 7.5/10

    Trustpilot 4.2 from 395 reviews; accredited lab (UKAS ISO 15189 partner labs); trading 17+ years.

  • Value for money 9.9/10

    £45.25 against a median of £145.00 for the 115 similarly sized sexual health tests we track (-69%).

Calculated 13 September 2026 from the facts we hold about this test and provider, using our published scoring formula. Scores are not hand-edited.

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