Rapid Xpert HIV-1 RNS Viral Load – Rapid Testing for HIV-Positive Patient Prognosis and Response To Antiretroviral Therapy — Marylebone
Strictly confidential Rapid Xpert HIV-1 RNS Viral Load – Rapid Testing for HIV-Positive Patient Prognosis and Response To Antiretroviral Therapy at Wimpole Street Medical & Dental, 22 Wimpole Street, from 1 October 2026. Nurse-taken sample, UKAS-accredited laboratory, results via secure portal.
From 1 October 2026 — until then book at South Kensington or St Paul's.
Price
£211
+ £50 blood draw
- Results within 1 day"
- Confidential service
- No GP referral needed
- Professional clinical environment
- Results via secure portal
- Nurse-led expert care
Wimpole Street, Marylebone (opening 1 October 2026)
Opening hours from 1 October 2026
- Monday
- 9am – 6pm
- Tuesday
- 9am – 8pm
- Wednesday
- 9am – 6pm
- Thursday
- 9am – 8pm
- Friday
- 8am – 5pm
- Saturday
- 10am – 4pm
- Sunday
- Closed
- Bond Street — about 6 minutes (Central, Jubilee & Elizabeth lines)
- Oxford Circus — about 7 minutes (Central, Bakerloo & Victoria lines)
Wimpole Street, Marylebone
Among the HIV testing options at Wimpole Street, the Rapid Xpert HIV-1 RNS Viral Load – Rapid Testing for HIV-Positive Patient Prognosis and Response To Antiretroviral Therapy is the one to choose when the concern is HIV management, antiretroviral therapy response and viral load monitoring. It costs £211, and once the Marylebone clinic opens on 1 October 2026 a nurse takes the venous blood sample (EDTA) with the laboratory typically reporting in 1 day. Testing is strictly confidential except where disclosure is required by law, and medical services are for patients aged 16 and over.
Rapid Xpert HIV-1 RNS Viral Load – Rapid Testing for HIV-Positive Patient Prognosis and Response To Antiretroviral Therapy’s place in HIV testing testing
- Sample
- venous blood sample (EDTA)
- Laboratory turnaround
- 1 day
- Appointment
- 20 minutes
- Standard price
- £211 + £50 phlebotomy per visit
Who considers Rapid Xpert HIV-1 RNS Viral Load – Rapid Testing for HIV-Positive Patient Prognosis and Response To Antiretroviral Therapy
- People often consider an HIV test if they have had condomless sex with a partner whose status they did not know.
- A possible exposure through a shared needle or a needle-stick injury is a common prompt for early PCR testing.
- Many people test routinely at the start of a new relationship or as part of a full STI screen.
- Flu-like illness with a rash two to four weeks after a risk can be a sign of early infection and warrants testing.
- Those living with HIV may want interval viral load or resistance testing between clinic visits.
What Rapid Xpert HIV-1 RNS Viral Load – Rapid Testing for HIV-Positive Patient Prognosis and Response To Antiretroviral Therapy measures
Laboratories file the Rapid Xpert HIV-1 RNS Viral Load – Rapid Testing for HIV-Positive Patient Prognosis and Response To Antiretroviral Therapy under HIV management, antiretroviral therapy response and viral load monitoring. The following sections set out how an HIV testing test of this kind is measured and read.
HIV tests detect either the immune response to the virus or the virus itself. Fourth-generation tests measure HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies together with the p24 antigen, a viral protein that appears before antibodies, and are the standard screening method from four weeks after exposure. RNA PCR tests detect the virus directly and can be positive from around ten days, while confirmatory testing, viral load, resistance genotyping and tropism tests are used once infection is established or for people already on treatment.
Preparing for your Rapid Xpert HIV-1 RNS Viral Load – Rapid Testing for HIV-Positive Patient Prognosis and Response To Antiretroviral Therapy
- 1Timing determines which test is useful: RNA PCR from 10 days after exposure, fourth-generation antigen/antibody from 4 weeks, with a repeat at 12 weeks to close the window.
- 2No fasting is required and a standard venous blood sample is taken.
- 3If the exposure was within the past 72 hours, do not wait for a test — seek post-exposure prophylaxis urgently from an emergency department or sexual health service.
- 4Tell the nurse if you take PrEP, as it can delay antibody development and affect interpretation.
Sample for this test: venous blood sample (EDTA).
Understanding your Rapid Xpert HIV-1 RNS Viral Load – Rapid Testing for HIV-Positive Patient Prognosis and Response To Antiretroviral Therapy results
A negative fourth-generation test four weeks or more after exposure is highly reassuring, and a negative result at 12 weeks is regarded as conclusive for that exposure. A reactive screening result is always followed by confirmatory testing using different methods before any conclusion is drawn, because false reactives occur, and the report will explain this and arrange the next sample. For people on treatment, an undetectable viral load indicates the medication is suppressing the virus and that it cannot be passed on sexually.
HIV results are interpreted against the window period since exposure and any PrEP or PEP use; a reactive screen is not a diagnosis until confirmed.
If you may have been exposed to HIV within the last 72 hours, post-exposure prophylaxis can reduce the risk but must start as soon as possible — go to an emergency department or sexual health service now rather than waiting for a test.
Related areas of testing at Wimpole Street: STI screening profiles, syphilis testing, hepatitis B and C, sexual health.
Pricing
The phlebotomy fee is charged once per visit, regardless of the number of tests booked. Payment is collected at the clinic.
From booking the Rapid Xpert HIV-1 RNS Viral Load – Rapid Testing for HIV-Positive Patient Prognosis and Response To Antiretroviral Therapy to reading your result
- 1
Choose your test
Select the Rapid Xpert HIV-1 RNS Viral Load – Rapid Testing for HIV-Positive Patient Prognosis and Response To Antiretroviral Therapy and any others you want run from the same visit. Until 1 October 2026 the identical test can be booked at South Kensington or St Paul’s.
- 2
Nurse-led sample
From 1 October 2026 the venous blood sample (EDTA) is taken at 22 Wimpole Street, Marylebone by our nursing team, led by Precious Agbonmamwen, Registered Adult Nurse (NMC 20H1641E). Identity is checked and any preparation questions answered first.
- 3
UKAS-accredited laboratory
The sample travels to a UKAS-accredited partner laboratory, whose methods and reference ranges match those used across the NHS and private sectors.
- 4
Laboratory report to your secure portal
The laboratory report is released to your secure portal — typically from 24 hours; the laboratory quotes 1 day for this test. It shows each value against the reference range and flags anything outside it; discuss the report with your GP or a clinician.
Why test at Wimpole Street
Wimpole Street Medical & Dental opens at 22 Wimpole Street on 1 October 2026. Medical services are for patients aged 16 and over; registration with the CQC is in progress ahead of opening.
Wimpole Street, Marylebone (opening 1 October 2026)
- Bond Street — about 6 minutes (Central, Jubilee & Elizabeth lines)
- Oxford Circus — about 7 minutes (Central, Bakerloo & Victoria lines)
- Samples go to a UKAS-accredited partner laboratory using validated PCR and serology methods.
- Registration with the CQC is in progress ahead of opening and the service follows BASHH testing guidance.
- The nurse can explain window periods before you test, so you are not paying for a result that is too early to be meaningful.
Frequently Asked Questions
A venous blood sample (EDTA). A nurse or phlebotomist collects it at 22 Wimpole Street, Marylebone from 1 October 2026; the appointment allows time for identity checks and any preparation questions. The laboratory quotes 1 day for this test.
Other tests often considered alongside Rapid Xpert HIV-1 RNS Viral Load – Rapid Testing for HIV-Positive Patient Prognosis and Response To Antiretroviral Therapy
- HIV Rapid RNA HIV-1 QUALITATIVEWimpole Street, Marylebone · from 1 October 2026
- HIV/HBV/HCV (Early detection by PCR/NAAT) with SyphilisWimpole Street, Marylebone · from 1 October 2026
- HIV Screening: HIV1 & 2 Abs/p24 Ag (4th Gen)Wimpole Street, Marylebone · from 1 October 2026
- Rapid Xpert HIV-1 RNA Qualitative – Early Detection from 10 daysWimpole Street, Marylebone · from 1 October 2026
- HIV-1 Proviral DNAWimpole Street, Marylebone · from 1 October 2026
- HIV Confirmation of Positive Screens (3 methodologies)Wimpole Street, Marylebone · from 1 October 2026
Ready to Get Tested?
Wimpole Street opens 1 October 2026. Register your interest, or book the same strictly confidential test now at South Kensington or St Paul's.
Important information about the Rapid Xpert HIV-1 RNS Viral Load – Rapid Testing for HIV-Positive Patient Prognosis and Response To Antiretroviral Therapy at Wimpole Street
- Medical services at Wimpole Street Medical & Dental are for patients aged 16 and over.
- This is a self-referral service: you choose the test and book directly — no GP referral is needed.
- Nurse-led by Precious Agbonmamwen, Registered Adult Nurse (NMC 20H1641E), who oversees sample-taking standards, infection control and the patient pathway. The nursing team does not interpret results.
- A laboratory result is not a diagnosis and this page is not a substitute for medical advice. We do not provide clinical interpretation of results — please discuss your report with your GP or a clinician, particularly if a value is flagged or you have symptoms.
- CQC registration for Wimpole Street is in progress ahead of the opening on 1 October 2026; our South Kensington and St Paul’s clinics are CQC registered.
- Your results are held on a secure portal and treated as strictly confidential, except where disclosure is required by law.
- If you are seriously unwell, call 999. For urgent advice that is not an emergency, call NHS 111.
