HIV information
Clear, evidence-based information on HIV testing, prevention, treatment, and what each test result means — curated from public health guidance across Europe.
Based on current public health guidance from CDC, WHO, BHIVA, aidsmap and Soa Aids Nederland. Last reviewed: 11 May 2026.
Reviewed against Oneself's editorial standards →HIV is one of the most studied health topics in modern medicine, and access to clear information is one of the most powerful tools against the virus — both for individual health and for reducing stigma. This page brings together the core topics: how testing works, when to test, what your result means, what to do after possible exposure, and how modern treatment makes HIV both manageable and non-transmissible. Use the sections below to find the information that fits your situation.
Find what fits your situation
If you have a specific concern, start here.
I may have been exposed within the last 72 hours
PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) →I want to know when I can reliably test
HIV window period →I'm comparing testing options
HIV testing options →I received a reactive (preliminary positive) result
U=U and what comes next →I want to understand HIV symptoms
HIV symptoms →1. Understanding HIV
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) affects the immune system, but modern treatment has changed what living with HIV means. People diagnosed and treated early can expect a normal life expectancy, and with sustained treatment they cannot pass the virus on to sexual partners. Much of the fear surrounding HIV today is based on outdated information from earlier decades — current science tells a very different story. The pages below explain the basics: symptoms, how HIV is different from other STIs, what life with HIV looks like, and the science behind Undetectable = Untransmittable.
HIV symptoms
Recognising the signs of early and chronic HIV infection — and why symptoms alone are never a reliable basis for diagnosis.
Read about HIV symptoms →HIV vs other STIs
How HIV symptoms differ from other sexually transmitted infections, and why broader STI testing matters.
Compare HIV and STI symptoms →Living with HIV
What an HIV diagnosis means today — treatment, daily life, and long-term outlook with modern antiretroviral therapy.
Read about living with HIV →U=U — Undetectable = Untransmittable
People with HIV who maintain an undetectable viral load through treatment cannot sexually transmit the virus. The science behind one of the most important advances in HIV care.
Read about U=U →2. HIV testing
Testing is the foundation of HIV care. Knowing your status enables treatment if needed, prevents onward transmission, and removes the uncertainty that keeps many people from seeking help. Early diagnosis not only improves long-term health outcomes — it also prevents onward transmission, because effective treatment leads to an undetectable viral load. The pages below cover when to test (the window period), what testing options exist in different countries, and how to use a self-test correctly.
HIV window period
How long after possible exposure can a test reliably detect HIV? Window periods for different test types, and what to do during the waiting time.
Read about the window period →HIV testing options
Where to get tested in the Netherlands, UK, and across Europe — public clinics, GPs, private clinics, postal kits, and self-tests compared.
Compare testing options →How to use the INSTI HIV Self Test
Step-by-step guidance for using the self-test correctly, including how to interpret your result.
Read the instructions →3. Prevention and emergency response
HIV prevention has evolved significantly. Modern options include condoms, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for ongoing prevention, and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) as an emergency measure after possible exposure. PEP is time-critical and must be started within 72 hours of exposure.
PEP — post-exposure prophylaxis
Emergency medication that can prevent HIV infection after possible exposure. Must be started within 72 hours, ideally within 2-24 hours. Where to get it, how it works, what to expect.
Read about PEP →4. Our editorial standards
We take responsibility for the medical accuracy of the information on this site. Our editorial standards describe how content is sourced, reviewed, and updated — including which pages are clinically reviewed and which are sourced from public health guidance.
Editorial standards
How we research, write, and review medical content. Sources we rely on, who reviews what, and how often we update.
Read our editorial standards →The information on this site is for educational purposes. It is not a substitute for medical advice or laboratory confirmation. If you have specific concerns about HIV exposure, symptoms, or test results, please contact a healthcare provider or sexual health clinic.
Self-testing is one option among several legitimate testing routes. If you are looking to test yourself privately at home, the INSTI HIV Self Test is one option — see the comparison of testing options for context.
This page was last updated on 11 May 2026. For our editorial process, see editorial standards .