How were the blood spots taken?

Having trouble getting enough blood to fill the 5 circles?

• Make sure you’re well-hydrated - drink a glass of water

• Do some light exercise. Jog, star-jump, wheel or dance! It’s up to you - just get your heart rate up and blood pumping

• Avoid caffeine and nicotine for 30 minutes before you begin

• Have a hot shower

• Choose the softest part of your fingertip

• Hold your finger below your heart

• Don’t flinch. Hold the lancet against your finger as you fire it, to make sure it goes deep enough

If you have one blood spot larger than half the width of the circle (6mm), that's enough for us to test for HIV, so send it back as is.

If you have a few smaller spots, or no spots at all, get in touch here, and we'll send you some extra fingerprick lancets.