ATOMO HIV Self Tests are rapid HIV tests designed to be done at home. The test involves pricking your finger to draw blood and mixing with the test fluid. The result appears on the test after 15 minutes. Tests are available for purchase at M Clinic, WAAC (664 Murray Street in West Perth), and the following Pharmacy 777 locations:
Yanchep
Shops T16/18 1&2,
Peony Boulevard, Yanchep, WA 6035
East Victoria Park
968B Albany Highway
East Victoria Park, WA 6101
Mandurah
Unit 4 10 Dower Street
Mandurah, WA 6210
Port Hedland
9/150 Anderson Street
Port Hedland ,WA 6721
Perth City
731 Hay Street
Perth, WA 6000
Applecross
777 Canning Highway
Applecross, WA 6153
Bridgetown
27 Hampton Street
Bridgetown, WA 6255
Shoalwater
117 Safety Bay Road
Shoalwater WA 6169
We sell them at reception for $25 each for a maximum quantity of 4 per person.
We encourage you to watch the Instructional ATOMO HIV Self Test Kit video before purchasing the kit. You can also find more information about the ATOMO kits on the ATOMO website.
Frequently Asked Questions
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a virus that targets the immune system and over time reduces the body’s ability to fight infection. There is no cure for HIV but if diagnosed early is a manageable condition with people able to live long, active and healthy lives.
The only way to know if you have HIV is to have an HIV test. Also, you cannot tell if someone has HIV just by looking at them. The only way to know your HIV status is to test regularly.
Certain body fluids from a person who has HIV, including blood, breast milk, semen (cum), pre-ejaculate (precum), rectal fluids and vaginal fluids.
Transmission occurs if these fluids come into contact with a mucous membrane (found inside the rectum, vagina, penis or mouth), damaged tissue or are injected directly into the bloodstream (by a needle or syringe)
HIV is NOT transmitted by:
- Casual contact e.g. shaking hands, sharing cutlery
- Kissing
- Saliva
- Urine
- Tears
- Sweat
- Air or water
It has been shown to be 99.6% accurate
You should go to either one of the Public Sexual Health Clinics (Royal Perth Hospital Ainslie House or South Terrace Clinic in Fremantle) as soon as possible within 72 hours, as you may be able to access a course of medication called PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis)
After exposure to HIV, it can be 3 months before your body develops the antibodies detected by this test – this is called the window period.
If you take an HIV self-test during the window period, you may incorrectly get a negative result.
If you believe you have recently been exposed to HIV, you are recommended to test again after the window period has passed.
Alternatively, you can attend the M Clinic, where we can do blood tests for HIV with shorter window periods. Call 9227 0734 to find out more.
It is important to know if it has been more than 3 months since your last risk event. If it has, and you have performed the test correctly, you are likely to be HIV negative.
If it has been less than 3 months since your last risk event, you will need to test again in 3 months. If you are unsure, you should seek medical advice.
Don’t panic
The ATOMO HIV Self Test is a screening test. It is important that you have follow-up testing done at the M Clinic. Please call us on 9227 0734 and inform us that you had a reactive test so that we can further assist and book you in as soon as possible.
If you are diagnosed as HIV positive (which can only be done when you attend the M Clinic), you will be connected to counselling services and then initiated on antiretroviral (ARV) treatment. Only your doctor/healthcare professional can recommend what treatment is right for you. Early diagnosis of HIV means treatment can start sooner. HIV is a manageable condition and people living with HIV can live long, active and healthy lives.
