Private HIV testing at home.

It checks a small drop of blood from your fingertip for antibodies to HIV-1 and HIV-2. Your immune system makes these antibodies after exposure to the virus. You'll have your result in 10 minutes, at home.

Antibodies take time to build up — anywhere from 23 to 90 days after exposure. A test taken sooner may not pick them up yet. For a result you can rely on, test once 3 months have passed since the possible exposure.

This test isn't for emergencies. If the possible exposure was within the last 72 hours, contact a sexual health clinic or go to an emergency department (A&E in the UK) as soon as you can. There's medication, called PEP, that can lower the chance of infection, but it has to be started quickly.

Two lines mean the test found HIV antibodies in your sample. A reactive result is not a diagnosis. It must be confirmed by a doctor with laboratory testing, and some other conditions can cause a false reactive result. Any visible Test line counts, however faint. Until you have your confirmed result, avoid anything that could pass HIV to others. [SUPPORT RESOURCE — per market]

The test didn't find HIV antibodies. That may mean there's no infection, or that it's too early for antibodies to show. People taking antiretroviral treatment or medication that suppresses the immune system can also get a false non-reactive result. If you think you were exposed within the last 3 months, or you have symptoms, talk to your doctor and test again once 3 months have passed.

No. This test doesn't check for other sexually transmitted infections, and your result says nothing about your partner's status. Condoms remain the most reliable way to protect yourself and others.

No. It only checks for HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies. It can't detect herpes, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis or any other infection.

It isn't for monitoring people already on antiretroviral treatment. It also isn't recommended for anyone taking blood-thinning medication or with haemophilia.

Evaluation reports show 99.3% sensitivity, 99.7% specificity and 99.6% overall accuracy compared with the laboratory standard test. It's highly accurate when used as directed, and a reactive result still needs a doctor's confirmation.

At exactly 10 minutes. A result read later may not be correct and can show a false reactive.

Not enough blood or diluent, the wrong number of drops (the test uses 3), reading at the wrong time, or the cassette touching other liquids before use. Some other infections — including hepatitis C, Epstein-Barr virus, HTLV, Borrelia and Mycoplasma pneumoniae — can occasionally cause a false reactive result.

HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system. AIDS is an advanced stage of untreated HIV, when the immune system can no longer fight off everyday infections. Having HIV isn't the same as having AIDS — and treatment started early can prevent AIDS from developing.

Yes. You test at home, on your own time, and your result is yours alone. [DISCREET PACKAGING — CONFIRM WORDING]