Help and support

Help with a DBS test or results

Please get in touch with NSW Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624 or email if you:

• are having difficulty getting drops of blood for your DBS test
• can’t find your validation code
• haven’t received your DBS test kit within a week of registering online (for people who do not have a test kit already)
• have sent your DBS test back and not heard from us in 2 weeks
• want information or support about HIV, hepatitis C or sexual health.

What should I do if I think I have HIV?

If you think you have HIV or if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms (including fever, rash, headache, loss of appetite, muscle aches and swollen glands), please talk to a nurse on 1800 451 624 or speak to your doctor.

If you’ve had sex without a condom within the last 3 days and are worried HIV has been passed on to you, please talk to a nurse on 1800 451 624. They may advise you to see a doctor for HIV prevention medication.

What could happen if I do not have a test for HIV or hepatitis C?

You could have HIV or hepatitis C and not know. Knowing if you have HIV and hepatitis C is important for your own health and wellbeing and for preventing HIV or hepatitis C from being passed on to other people. Medications may control HIV and reduce the risk of passing it on to others too. Hepatitis C may cause damage to the liver over time and can be passed on to other people through blood. Now there are medications (tablets) to cure hepatitis C.

How can I stay safe?

You can protect yourself and others from HIV by always using a condom if you have anal or vaginal sex. Condoms protect you and your partners against HIV, and other sexually transmissible infections (STIs).

You can also protect others from hepatitis C by being blood aware. Never share syringes, needles or injecting equipment. Always think of injecting and tattoo equipment as one use only.

If you are worried you may have HIV, hepatitis C or other STIs talk to your doctor or talk to a sexual health nurse on 1800 451 624 for more information. To find out more about hepatitis C visit Hepatitis NSW or call the Hepatitis Infoline on 1800 803 990.

Organisations that can help

• NSW Sexual Health Infolink
  The Sexual Health Infolink is a state-wide confidential information and referral service for people with or at risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. The service is staffed by sexual health nurses. Call 1800 451 624 from Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5:30pm.
• Hepatitis NSW
  Hepatitis NSW is a community-based, non-government organisation offering statewide, confidential information, referral and support services for people living with or affected by viral hepatitis. Call the Hepatitis Infoline on 1800 803 990 from Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm, or Thursdays between 1pm and 5pm.
• ACON
  ACON (AIDS Council of NSW) is committed to Ending HIV. You can read more about the fight to end HIV in NSW and access resources and information on HIV testing and prevention through HIV drug therapy.
• NUAA
  The NSW Users and AIDS Association (NUAA) is governed, staffed and led by people with lived experience of drug use. They provide innovative harm reduction services for people in NSW who use drugs, as well as those that advocate for improved service delivery and a more rational approach to drug use.
• Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service (MHAHS)
  The MHAHS is a statewide service that works with culturally and linguistically diverse communities in NSW to improve health and wellbeing in relation to HIV and hepatitis B and C. They provide multilingual information, and free and confidential support to people living with HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C. Call MHSAHS on (02) 9515 1234.
• PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis)
  This is a HIV prevention method in which people who do not have HIV take a pill every day to reduce their risk of becoming infected with HIV. PrEP is now available through the Australian Health Care System.
• NSW Ministry of Health
  This research project is funded by the NSW Ministry of Health. It aims to increase access and frequency of HIV and Hep C testing by providing alternative testing options. These initiatives are described in the NSW HIV strategy 2021-2025 and the NSW Hepatitis C Strategy 2022-2025.