Guidance
Annexe 1. BBV testing options – web page
Updated 15 September 2026
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| Venous | Dry blood spot | Capillary | Compact rapid multi-assay analyser (Cepheid) | Lateral flow (point of care) | Oral swab | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests for all BBVs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Needs to be carried out by a trained healthcare professional | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Requires specific training | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Can test for other things with same sample | ✓ Syphilis TB |
✓ Syphilis TB | ✓ Syphilis | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Rapid test results | ✕ (unless in hospital with lab on site) |
✕ | ✓ 48 to 72 hours |
✓ 1 to 2 hours |
✓ 1 to 20 mins |
✓ 1 to 20 mins |
| Lab analysis required | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Requirements to undertake test | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ Can not eat, smoke or brush teeth for 20 to 30 mins before test |
| Potential for inaccurate results (false positives) | ✓ By analysis machine / calibration |
✓ By analysis machine / calibration |
✓ By analysis machine / calibration |
✓ By analysis machine / calibration |
✓ | ✓ |
| Requires an additional test to confirm current infection | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Requires a confidential space | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Results pathway – lab to clinical care service | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Results pathway – at point of care | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |